Shalvin Prasad.
Two men charged with the fiery murder of Shalvin Prasad
have appeared in court today.
The 18 and 20-year-old, both from Papatoetoe were dressed in
blue boiler suits and flanked by police officers when they
made a brief appearance at the Manukau District Court.
Judge Jonathon Moses granted the pair name suppression and
turned down media applications to photograph the pair in the
dock.
Police and the pair's lawyer John Munro argued the police
investigation was at an early stage and identifying the pair
could harm fair trial rights.
Mr Prasad's family were told of the arrests last night as
they neared the end of the traditional two-week mourning
period.
Police turned to criminal profilers for clues to why a gentle
man who loved his family was burned alive on the side of the
road.
Mr Prasad, 21, was found on McRobbie Rd in Kingseat south of
Auckland on Thursday, January 31 - several hours after he
withdrew tens of thousands of dollars from his bank account
and left his Rav 4 outside an industrial building in
Papatoetoe he had no connection with.
Police believe the supermarket worker was alive when he was
set alight.
Older brother Pravin, 27, pleaded for someone to come forward
with information at an emotional press conference last week.
"He was a great person and he still should be with us."
The killing had hit the family like a "trainwreck".
"The death of my brother has really shattered our lives,
we've lost our favourite Shalvin."
Last night, Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said that although
police were pleased to have made early arrests there was
still a lot of work for them to do.
Police were still seeking items belonging to Mr Prasad. They
included his car key, house key, a steering wheel lock key
attached to a single plain ring with a piece of paper
attached with either Rav 4 or ZG1674 written on it, a wallet
of black and white imitation leather with a puzzle design, an
ASB eftpos card and his driver's licence.
They were also interested in any sightings of a distinctive
lime green 2008 Holden Commodore SV6 and/or a 2001
silver/grey Nissan Bluebird Sylphy between Papakura and
Kingseat between 9pm on January 30 and early January 31.
Any information in relation to the investigation can be given
to police on 09 295 0311 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111.
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