Tributes to Scots radio journalist found murdered in New Zealand

A SCOTS journalist has been murdered in New Zealand. He died after being attacked while walking home from a radio station.

Phillip Cottrell, 43, was found with serious injuries near the Wellington offices of Radio New Zealand, where he worked.

He underwent surgery at Wellington Hospital, but never regained consciousness and died yesterday surrounded by family and friends.

Mr Cottrell had previously worked for BBC Scotland in Glasgow and emigrated to New Zealand in 2006.

He was walking home, having completed an overnight shift compiling news bulletins for the radio station.

He was found lying unconscious by a passer-by about 40 minutes later. It is understood that his wallet was missing.

Police confirmed that they have launched a murder investigation. Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller said the attack occurred between 5:30am and 6:15am on Saturday.

“As the victim got halfway down Boulcott Street outside the Baptist church, it appears an altercation has taken place, and as a result the victim received fatal injuries,” he said.

“We have a number of inquiries which need to be carried out over the coming days to ascertain what has occurred and how this victim came to be fatally assaulted.”

Wellington police spokeswoman Victoria Davis said police were working to obtain CCTV footage from the area.

The police were alerted to the assault by Wellington Hospital.

Colleagues at Radio New Zealand said they had been left devastated by his death.

Chief reporter Eric Frykberg said: “He was a very nice guy. Straightforward and very pleasant. People were so shocked. A lot of colleagues went to the hospital.

“When we heard he wouldn’t pull through, people went to see him to spend some time with him,” said Mr Frykberg.

“He was surrounded by his sister and his friends when he died.”

Radio New Zealand host Lloyd Scott worked closely with Mr Cottrell and was one of the last people to see him. He said colleagues were struggling to come to terms with his death.

“He would be no threat to anybody – somebody said to me yesterday, one of his friends: ‘I think he’s the nicest person I’ve ever met’,” Mr Scott said.

In a statement, friends and colleagues from BBC Scotland paid tribute to Mr Cottrell, describing him as a talented journalist.

The statement said: “Phillip was a gentle, kind man with an impish sense of humour.

“He was a brave traveller, forever venturing to new countries and exploring new cultures,” the statement added. “He leaves behind many, many friends in every corner of the world, who will be distraught to learn of his loss.

“He was also a talented journalist with a passion for accuracy and precision.

“Phillip’s friends here in Scotland are devastated at his senseless death. Our thoughts are with his friends and colleagues in New Zealand and, most of all, with his family.”