A 37-year-old man appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday charged with the murder of Douglas Alexander Senior.
Judge David Robinson imposed an interim order for name suppression and remanded the defendant in custody until next month, when he will come before the High Court.
On Friday, police reported being called to a Somerville St property, where they found the body of the victim.
Mr Senior’s father, Brian, said the tragic news had been a massive shock to the family.
‘‘We’re trying to cope with it. But you know ... it’s one of those things you think happens to everybody else but you. But then when it hits you, it’s a bit different,’’ he said.
He said his son had been a mechanic for the past 30 years.
‘‘He’s probably the most happy-go-lucky, laid-back sort of person you’d ever meet,’’ he said.
A former colleague of the victim agreed, describing him as an ‘‘all-around good bugger that loves cars’’.
In an initial statement, Detective Inspector Shona Low said someone had been taken into custody at the scene.
Somerville St neighbours said the family living at the house were ‘‘decent, quiet people’’, who had lived at the address for many years.
