The ''violent death'' of an Elderslie dairy farm worker is now under scrutiny in a homicide inquiry involving nearly 40 police and support staff in two areas of inland North Otago.
The inquiry was launched after a fellow worker at Elderslie Dairy Farms Ltd, concerned when Justin Conrad McFarlane (35) failed to turn up for work, found him dead in his Pine Hill Rd house about 4.30am on Wednesday, Acting Detective Inspective Colin Blackie, of the Southern region, said yesterday.
Mr McFarlane's car, taken from the address, was found burnt out in Serpentine Rd, near Maheno, about 25km away as the crow flies.
''Our initial view of the scene indicates there has been a violent attack on Mr McFarlane.''
Det Insp Blackie said, but he declined to release details, saying he was not prepared to prejudice the inquiry.
''Mr McFarlane appears to have suffered a violent death.''
A single man at the time of his death, he lived alone in the house. His family declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
Det Insp Blackie invited the offender or offenders to contact him, or any member of the inquiry team, to resolve the matter ''sooner rather than later''.
The investigation, named ''Operation Steelers'', was in its early stages, focused on establishing Mr McFarlane's movements and events leading up to his death.
A team was making house-to-house inquiries in the area.
''We are hopeful someone saw or heard something,'' he said.
Inquiries also included contact with his family, friends and associates.
Police are being assisted by Environmental Science and Research (ESR) staff, who yesterday, with police, continued scene examinations at the Pine Hill Rd address, about 10km inland from Oamaru, and at the area where the car was found.
The house examination was focused on working in towards Mr McFarlane's body and police did not yet know what had occurred in the house. No weapons had ''been found as yet'', but the scene examination was ''far from completed''.
Mr McFarlane's body was expected to be removed late yesterday and a postmortem carried out today.
His family members were being supported by a full-time police liaison person and had access to Victim Support.
Police are seeking help from the public who might have seen Mr McFarlane's 1992 red Mitsubishi GTO (registration YE 4901) near Serpentine or Pine Hill Rds late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday.
It was found about mid-morning on Wednesday by a passing motorist, who contacted police.
ESR and Fire Service investigators were inspecting the car to determine how the fire started and to recover any evidence.
Det Insp Blackie believed the burnt-out vehicle was connected ''in some way'' with Mr McFarlane's death.
''We are still examining it, but we are hopeful we will find something that will assist our investigation.''
Police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen the car.
Asked if Mr McFarlane was known to police, Mr Blackie would not comment.
Mr McFarlane appeared in the Oamaru District Court last month on an assault charge.
• Anyone with any information on Mr McFarlane's activities in recent days, his vehicle or anything suspicious could contact the inquiry team at the Oamaru police station (03 433-1400) or Crimestoppers anonymously (0800 555-111).
