Alex Fisher: Boy suffered head trauma

Alex Fisher
Alex Fisher
A post mortem has confirmed that Alex Fisher - whose body was found near Levin on Thursday - had suffered head trauma.

Police confirmed in a statement this afternoon that a post mortem examination, completed on Friday, had revealed the 10-year-old had suffered head injuries.

But the statement added: "No further information will be given on this, and the actual cause of death is a matter for the Coronial process to establish."

Alex's body was found at Waitarere Beach on Thursday afternoon.

The Levin boy had been missing since Tuesday.

A large Police investigation - Operation Waitarere - involving staff from throughout the North Island is working through the weekend.

"We've received a reasonable response to the 0800 number we've set up and we encourage anyone who has not yet contacted us with information to do so," Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said.

"There may still be sightings of Alex or his brother Eric around Waitarere, or the forest and beach area, that we're not yet aware of.

"If you are not sure about what you might have seen please contact us anyway and let Police make that judgement.

"If you are returning to your property in Waitarere this weekend please check for anything unusual or signs of disturbance, or any items missing," said Mr Forlong.

The number is 0800 234 7437 FREE. It will be answered from 9am-6pm over the weekend and a message can be left outside these hours.

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.