The man believed to have committed a number of rapes in Hamilton in 2007 died in Australia in 2013, police say.
The man -- who police did not identify -- was suspected of raping three women in less than two months.
He was a Hamilton resident who was aged 28 at the time of the alleged offending, Detective Inspector Chris Page said at a news conference today.
"[He] was working in one of the local bars as a bouncer."
Det Insp Page said police had taken more than 700 samples of DNA after the rapes had taken place, but a positive match of the samples only recently came back from Australia.
"In 2015, Hamilton police received advice that the DNA profile loaded on the Australian DNA Crime Scene databank for Operation Phil had been matched to a Perth-based New Zealand man.
"Although the alleged offender has been identified, we cannot name him. He is deceased. He died in July of 2013 in Australia," said Det Insp Page.
He said the man had left New Zealand in 2008 and came to the attention of Australian police in May 2013 when he committed a minor, non-sexual offence. He died in non-suspicious circumstances in July, 2013.
"Investigations have been undertaken this week with the man's family. Naturally, they are distraught about the news regarding his activities."
Det Insp Page said the police had also spoken to the victims.
"Each of them is still coming to terms with the serious trauma inflicted by this offender. However, I hope today's news allows them - and others in the Hamilton community who remain strongly affected by these offences - to no longer be fearful."
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