A small Waikato community is struggling to cope with the sudden
death of a popular pizza shop owner.
Jordan Voudouris was found dead early this morning behind his shop
in the town of Paeroa.
But police say it is not clear if the father-of-two was the victim
of foul play.
Voudouris was Paeroa's pizza man, his shop quickly becoming a
shrine today for a community who adored him, as flowers were left
outside.
A friend, Donna Handley, told ONE News he was more than just Jordan from the pizza shop.
"He was Jordan part of town, part of the family. And I don't think there's going to be a lot of dry eyes when everybody finds out."
Voudouris' Facebook page says his hometown is Giannitsa in northern Greece.
News spread quickly through town that the 57-year-old's body was found at the back of his shop. The area is now a crime scene.
"At this stage we have what I term an unexplained death," Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead told reporters in Paeroa this afternoon.
"Circumstances are of sufficient concern that we will deal with it as if it was a homicide until we can determine either that it is or can discount it as a suspicious death."
"The only witness is the neighbour who discovered the body this morning. Clearly that's an area that our inquiry will focus on," Whitehead said.
"We'd be very interested in hearing from anybody who may have heard anything, seen anything."
Police are expected to be at the scene for some time and are now looking at whether there is any link to an attempted robbery and robbery early this morning at nearby towns.
Tributes flow
A team of 20 police continue to work on the inquiry while locals say they will be planning a special memorial to farewell a very dear friend.
Family, friends and colleagues are paying tribute to Voudouris on the Mykonos Pizza and Pasta Paeroa Facebook page.
Christine Munro posted: "RIP Jordan. You were a good, kind, hard working man and a family friend with lots of wit and a contagious smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Kalo taxidi."
Clive Gunton wrote: "You will be sadly missed Papa, karma will have no mercy the person that did this to you."
Marcus Aaron de Thierry posted: "Jordan you were the best boss I ever had top bloke top father and top mate I'll be praying for your family. RIP."
Sharon Ellison wrote: "Rest In Peace Jordan. Many thanks for the
wonderful dinner last Thursday evening..YUMMMMMMMY...Condolences to
the family.You will be terribly missed."