What happened in Devonport on New Year’s Day?
Police are appealing to the public for information following an unexplained death in Auckland’s Devonport on New Year’s Day. Officers were dispatched to a Kerr Street property just before 11pm on Thursday, with investigators saying it remains as a live scene as they carefully gather evidence. The case has prompted a nationwide interest as authorities seek to understand the sequence of events that led to a death that remains unexplained.
What authorities have said so far
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting confirmed that a comprehensive cordon was established at the property and that specialist investigators are examining the scene for clues. While early indications have guided the probe, police emphasise that no line of inquiry has been ruled out as officers work to determine what occurred in the hours leading up to the incident. A number of residents and passers-by reported hearing sounds and unusual activity in the area around the time of the event, but investigators are careful not to speculate on causation until they have more concrete evidence.
Why police are asking for public information
In cases like this, the public’s help can be crucial. Police say any information—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant—could assist detectives in piecing together a timeline, identifying potential witnesses, or locating CCTV footage that might capture relevant moments. Investigators are particularly interested in identifying vehicles seen in the vicinity, unfamiliar faces in the neighbourhood, or unusual behavior in the Kerr Street area around late New Year’s Eve and the early hours of New Year’s Day.
What investigators are seeking from the community
The Police appeal focuses on several specific requests:
- Any sightings of people or vehicles near Kerr Street on or around New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day.
- Access to domestic or commercial CCTV footage from nearby properties or street cameras that could show activity around the time of the incident.
- Information about any suspicious activity, disturbances, or gatherings in the Devonport area during late December 31 into January 1.
- Details of recent bereavements, incidents, or conflicts involving anyone known to local residents that may have a bearing on the investigation.
How the community can help
Anyone with information is urged to contact Auckland Police or Crime Stoppers. Police emphasise that information can be provided anonymously if desired. Investigators will also be coordinating with local residents to gain a clearer sense of the events surrounding Kerr Street in the hours surrounding the incident. Community members are reminded to respect the ongoing inquiry and refrain from sharing unverified or sensational content on social media, which can impede investigation and cause distress to those affected.
What happens next in the inquiry
As the investigation continues, police will be conducting interviews, reviewing electronic evidence, and canvassing the neighbourhood for additional witnesses. The death remains unexplained, and authorities are pursuing every viable lead. The public’s cooperation will be essential to resolving the case and bringing clarity to what occurred on that New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day in Devonport.
About the investigation team
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting and his team are coordinating the inquiry, working with forensic specialists and regional investigative units. While authorities cannot disclose every detail of the case, they insist that there is no assumed motive and that their objective is to establish an accurate account of events to provide answers for the family and the community.
Stay informed
We will continue to report on any updates provided by police. If you have information that could assist investigators, please contact Auckland Police or Crimestoppers. Your information could be the missing link in solving this unexplained death in Devonport.
