The body of the 32-year-old truck driver was found in the back yard of his property in Helensville, northwest of Auckland, late last month, three days after he was last seen.
Police believe the small Helensville community may hold the clues about who killed him.
His father, Bruce, supported by his wife, Sue, said the McMurdo family had been living in the area since his grandfather moved there in 1918.
"I stand here very proud to be a family member bearing this name in this area because we have a lot of respect here.
"We'd just appreciate getting to the bottom of this. We're hoping someone from Helensville or any other area can give the police any assistance whatsoever to solve this crime for us," he told reporters today.
"It's absolutely devastating for our family."
It was revealed today that Lee McMurdo had become involved in the drug world in the period leading up to his death.
"He was going through some issues in his life...he knew he had our support and we did as much as we could. It didn't stop us loving him and we did what any other parent, I hope, would do: we stood by and supported him at a time of need," Bruce McMurdo said.
Inquiry head Detective Inspector Greg Cramer would not say whether Lee McMurdo was dealing drugs but said cannabis and some sort of capsules were involved.
"It's very clear to us at this stage that Lee had made some lifestyle choices, particularly towards the end of his life, which may not sit well with some members of the community. But that aside, he was clearly a loved member of a family with a long-standing tradition in this community and the loved father of three children."
He lived alone on the large property, but was a very sociable man, so often had friends dropping in.
Mr Cramer refused to give details about the death but today confirmed he died violently.
An LG flat-screen television and a black wallet, containing a cash card and a Video Ezy card with his name on it, were missing from the house.
"It may be that someone a community member knows has come into possession of a large flat-screen TV in recent times, perhaps in questionable circumstances. It's that sort of information we would like.
"There's also the potential for witnesses: the house is on a main road and Helensville community members travelling to Auckland pass this property. It may be that somebody has seen something and they don't recognise or realize the importance of it."
Mr McMurdo used to operate a business freighting flowers, which he took over from his father, but that failed earlier this year, Mr Cramer said.
This had probably had a big impact on Mr McMurdo and his family.
