Manhunt on for killer of ex-BBC journalist

A FORMER BBC journalist murdered in a “vicious and cowardly” street attack in New Zealand had extensive injuries, police have said, following a post-mortem examination.

Phillip Cottrell died in hospital after being found unconscious, early on Saturday, near the offices of Radio New Zealand where he worked.

A post-mortem examination showed his injuries included multiple fractures to his head, neck and left arm, and extensive brain injuries, police said.

The 43-year-old was found by a taxi driver outside a Baptist Church on Boulcott Street, in Wellington.

He was taken to Wellington Hospital, where he had surgery, but died on Sunday.

Police have said they are treating the attack as homicide and want to speak to 19-year-old Nicho Allan Waipaku in connection with the investigation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller said Mr Waipaku may have been in the area around Boulcott Street at 5:30am on Saturday.

He said: “We believe Mr Waipaku can assist us with our inquiries and I urge him to come forward and speak to us.”

The public have been asked not to approach Mr Waipaku themselves.

They are still searching for Mr Cottrell’s brown leather wallet, which they believe he had lost during the attack.

A “large amount” of CCTV footage was being trawled to find clues about the attack.