Owaka residents are in
shock following suggestions from psychics that two
inhabitants of the small Catlins town may have been involved
in the death of another local two years ago.
Blake Stott's death was the subject of TV2 programme Sensing Murder on Tuesday night.
The 19-year-old contractor died when his parked car, in which he was sleeping, went on fire in a lay-by 3km south of Owaka on June 11, 2006.
Psychics on the programme said they believed the car may have been set on fire, possibly as a practical joke that went wrong, by two Owaka men whom Mr Stott knew.
Their findings were backed up by a former police detective who had identified suspects in the case.
Dunedin and Clutha area police commander Inspector Dave Campbell said yesterday police would investigate any new evidence raised in the programme.
However, he was not aware any new evidence or information had come to light since the programme was aired.
Mr Stott's mother, Adraian, said the family had viewed the episode on Friday, but had known what the psychics had suggested since the show was filmed in March.
"We've been sitting on it for a long time and it's been hard, but now it's out there."
She and husband Martin were convinced their son's death was not accidental.
The family was hopeful the programme would result in new leads to help police solve the mystery of how the fire started.
The family wanted to give police a chance and would wait and see what the next few weeks brought.
"We are prepared to give them three weeks to rattle their dags a little bit."
The family hired a private investigator and former detective, Duncan Holland, after the release of the coroner's report to find out how the car fire had started, she said.
Mr Holland suggested they approach Sensing Murder and, after lengthy deliberation, the family had agreed.
Owaka residents spoken to yesterday said the town was in shock following the show.
"Wow. Watching it was surreal because it was watching ourselves.
"The whole programme was a shock. A few people came around here for support.
"Everyone was silent until it was over," said one resident, who knew Mr Stott through his involvement in the Owaka Rugby Club.
People had speculated about what had happened after Mr Stott's death and whether anyone else had been involved, but talk had died off, she said.
Everything the psychics had said was "spot on", but the biggest shock came at the end of the programme when it was suggested two men from Owaka might have stopped at Mr Stott's car that night and one of them might have set the car alight.
"Implying it was someone we know really well was a real turn around."
Owaka people would not condemn one of their own until there was some evidence from the police, she said.
"You can't fling accusations around in a small town like this . . . martial law would take over."
Owaka residents believed the police had done all they could on the case at the time, she said.
"It was a hard case and they took a long time about it.
"We don't think there was any more they could have done at the time."