Man charged with murder over Auckland brothel manager's slaying

Club 574 in Epsom.
Club 574 in Epsom. Photo credit: Newshub

A man has been charged with murder over the death of a brothel manager in Auckland's Epsom last month.

The 60-year-old was arrested on Wednesday over the homicide of 30-year-old Zion Gutnik, whose body was discovered outside the Epsom-based "gentleman's club" Club 574 in March.

Staff say Gutnik worked as the manager there. Police say the two men were known to each other.

Acting Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said it's been a tough investigation.

"The team have worked some very long days, over the past six weeks," he said in a statement following the arrest.

"Whilst this is a significant milestone in the investigation, there is still a lot of work ahead as the matter proceeds through the prosecution phase."

Gutnik's family have been notified of the arrest, however they are still grieving and have asked for privacy.

"We hope today's arrest provides the victim's family with some degree of reassurance," Det Insp Baldwin says.

Locals, sex workers shocked by murder

A sex worker who Newshub spoke to after the killing said she's never felt unsafe working there.

"We don't have security there, we just have the managers on that night, who will be running the shift, and then the girls," she said.

Jeanine Rouse, who owns the shop Clothing Girl just opposite the brothel, said there has never been any trouble in the past.

"It's very much a common thing that people know it's there," she told Newshub. 

"There's not any aggro or weirdos walking around."

She said those living and working nearby are "shaken" by the news.

"It's just a little quiet suburb that's going to be shaken by this," she said.