Police investigating the brutal murder of a 78-year-old Opotiki
man have revealed John Rowe was bashed to death in his own
bed.
They say he was struck several times about the head with blunt
objects. He was found lying on his bed by a neighbour who arrived
to take him to the doctor on Tuesday morning.
The scene at the house holds the key to the murder and police are
focusing on what was found by the victim's bed.
"I can just best describe them as blunt objects and they've been taken to the ESR and are being examined as we speak," says Detective Inspector Rob Jones.
A post-mortem has been completed and on Thursday police revealed the brutality of the elderly man's final moments.
"It appears the victim has suffered extensive head injuries and that the attack on him has been violent and very severe," says Jones.
Police are still trying to establish a motive but say burglary is likely. The home had been ransacked and police have found some of Rowe's personal items while searching nearby streets.
Neighbours heard people break into his garage about 3am on Tuesday, apparently in an attempt to steal his car.
The community is reeling from the death and some went to the scene to pay their respects.
"Very evil what's happened in Opotiki. It's tainted Opotiki," says Millie Gerrard, a local resident.
She says it has undermined the confidence of the many elderly people who live there.
"Just sad. A life has been taken for no reason. He served the community and that's the thanks that's been given to Opotiki," Gerrard says, with tears streaming down her face.
Now it's fear ruling the neighbourhood with families too scared to show their face.
"The whole family has to sleep in the lounge because it's that scary. I don't know if there's a guy round there who's going to put a gun through your windows or what they're going to do," says another local woman.
A friend and former pupil of Rowe, former Opotiki College student Te Kaihautu Maxwell, says he was a kind and caring man who will be sorely missed.
"He had at heart the best interests of the students. So he wanted students to really excel in his field of speciality which was maths. So he had many generations at Opotii College in the field of mathematics," says Maxwell.
Rowe moved to Opotiki in 1968. He taught maths at Opotiki College for 18 years, before retiring in 1984. A seaman with two adult children, he had lived a quiet life since his wife had died 17 years ago.
The police don't have any suspects at this stage but are confident the Opotiki public know just who is responsible.
If you have any information on this crime please contact police on 0800 HELPJOHN or 0800 43575646
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