Police: Man found with pipe bombs died from “self-inflicted injury”

Police are referring an Auckland man’s death to the coroner after he was found deceased in Highbrook on Tuesday this week.

Counties Manukau Police’s criminal investigation branch has been investigating the sudden death since it was first reported at about 11.30am on July 22.

Police confirm a post-mortem examination and scene examination around the walkway were completed on July 23.

“Police will not be releasing detailed findings of the post-mortem, but it has indicated the man died of a self-inflicted injury,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward says.

“Police are not treating the man’s death, or the discovery of two devices near his body, as a criminal matter.”

Police are currently unable to release further details surrounding the man, as formal identification procedures are yet to be completed.

Next of kin have been contacted, and police are supporting them through the next steps in the process.

“This incident has occurred in a very public place, and I understand there will naturally be curiosity surrounding what has taken place,” Hayward says.

“It’s important to remember a person has died and there is family grieving, so we ask people to be mindful of speculation.

“Our focus now is to complete enquiries on behalf of a coroner who will, in time, issue fulsome findings surrounding the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.”