Alex Fisher: Autopsy provides new leads

Alex Fisher
Alex Fisher
A community in shock after the death of 10-year-old Alex Fisher is rallying around his devastated family, with a poignant healing ceremony performed before a vigil tomorrow night.

At yesterday's ceremony 20 people, including senior police, walked from Rua Ave, Waitarere, through a track across the sand dunes to the place where the boy's body was found on Thursday.

Elders performed a karakia near the cordon where investigators continued searching for evidence.

"The ceremony is about clearing the way for our people to be able to come back down here," an iwi spokesman said.

"It's appropriate for us to do, even though the boy wasn't Maori."

Some of those taking part knew Alex's family, and it was a deeply emotional moment for them.

Among those at the blessing was Manawatu area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart, who had led the investigation and broke the news of Alex's death to his family on Thursday.

Yesterday the family spoke about their devastation while expressing gratitude for the community's support.

"As you can imagine, we are devastated by the sudden loss of a beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, classmate, friend, and fellow Scout."

The statement, which Horowhenua mayor Brendan Duffy shared on the family's behalf, went on to thank those who also donated food, money, time and prayers.

"It is really appreciated and has shown the family how terrific our local community and country as a whole is."

While just what happened to Alex is a mystery, a post-mortem examination completed yesterday afternoon has given police new leads, which they did not divulge.

Police confirmed there was one main crime scene.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said an 0800 number had been set up for anyone with information relevant to the investigation to call, in particular, anyone who had returned from a holiday to find their property had been interfered with, or who had discovered that any items were missing.

"We're also interested in anyone who may have found anything unusual in the beach area," he said. "We are still seeking sightings of Alex Fisher and his brother Eric at the start of the week, either together or by themselves."

Although the most obvious focus of the investigation was at the cordon beside Waitarere Beach, police were also seen outside several properties, many of which were unoccupied, across the town yesterday.

In Park Ave, officers spent much of the afternoon at a house and appeared to be inspecting a garage.

Police were earlier investigating possible links between a reported burglary and Alex's disappearance.

A man is being held in custody and will reappear in court next week, where his interim name suppression will be reviewed.

The court earlier heard he could face more charges in relation to Alex's disappearance - police were not willing to discuss what these charges might be.

An acquaintance of the man arrested during the search for Alex told the Weekend Herald how he convinced the accused to walk out of the forest where police were searching for the boy.

The local resident said he knew something was wrong when he heard Alex was missing and decided to go looking in Waitarere Forest.

Police confirmed the acquaintance was present when they arrested the man but were still trying to verify other details.

They have interviewed him and expect to talk to him again.

Tomorrow's vigil will be held at the Waitarere Domain at 7pm.

Notice of the vigil has been posted at a beach noticeboard near the local Four Square dairy where Alex was last seen with his older brother Eric.

"We will unite together as '1 Waitarere' to help share, support each other and comprehend this tragic event," the notice read.

Ohau School principal Kathy Trevena Brown recalled Alex as a boy who enjoyed kapa haka, softball, basketball and water polo.

They had "lost a lovely member of our family".

"Alex was a delightful student who did find some aspects of school life challenging but he was up for it," she said.

She said the school was "so proud of him".

A local man said Alex's death cast a sombre mood over the whole community at a time when Waitarere was normally a happy place with people enjoying the school holidays.

On Facebook a woman who appeared to be a close friend of the family posted her sadness at the loss of Alex.

"Rest easy lil man," she wrote alongside a picture of Alex with her two kids. "... no words can express the loss we're all feeling ... you've definitely left a beautiful imprint on all our hearts. Fly high with your angels to that precious place above."