Epsom homicide: Victim worked at brothel

Police are continuing to examine the scene.
Police are continuing to examine the scene. Photo credit: Newshub.

The man found murdered at a brothel in Auckland worked as a manager there, according to staff at the club.

Police were called to Club 574, on Manukau Rd, in Epsom, by a member of the public just after midnight on Tuesday. They then found the man's body at the scene.

Police on Wednesday said they are still working to identify the man's identity and contact next-of-kin, though a sex worker at the brothel told NZME staff were told on Tuesday the victim was a manager at the business.

"We were shocked. We were crying about it. We were really upset about it yesterday," the staff member told NZME.

The worker said staff had not been told any details about the man's death.

Police conducted a scene examination on Tuesday and said they would continue to investigate the property and surrounding area over the coming days.

They are working to establish who was at the premises on Monday night and anyone who was there is urged to contact the investigation team on (09) 524 1921 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"We are also asking for anyone who has information on a blue 2017 Toyota Yaris – registration KSA289," a spokesperson said.

"Specifically, we want to speak with anyone who sighted the vehicle on Monday night or Tuesday morning or has any information on the vehicle’s current whereabouts."

Police said they would also be going door to door in the area seeking more information.

On Tuesday, a woman who worked at a shop nearby the brothel told Newshub the neighbourhood was "shaken" by the news of the death.

She said it was common knowledge the building housed a brothel but there had never been any trouble in the past.

"It's shocking to think someone's been murdered," she said.

The victim's body has now been removed from the scene and a post-mortem has commenced.