Police Confident They Will Find Killer Of BACKYARD BURIAL Singer

It's been three months since the lead singer of one of New Zealand's longest-running death metal bands, BACKYARD BURIAL, was murdered in a ferocious and personal attack in his home and police are still confident they will find the killer and bring them before the court.

35-year-old Matthew Hall died while in his bed in Broderick Road, Johnsonville and his body was discovered around 6:15 p.m. on February 15.

Officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thornton, says there is still a large team working on this active investigation and police remain as busy and as determined as they were on day one.

"This murder was a very personal attack on Mr. Hall," he said. "Having completed the scene examination and having received some preliminary ESR results, we now know that the offender had knowledge of the address at 118 Broderick Road."

He adds, "A vast amount of investigative work has taken place over the past three months and there are still witnesses being identified. We have also re-interviewed a number of witnesses. The information from witnesses gives the investigation a strong focus, as does the completed scene examination at 118 Broderick Road.

"There is one missing piece from the scene that remains a mystery to police, which is a knife outstanding from 118 Broderick Road that has not been accounted for. Witnesses have described a large hunting knife that was kept in the house. This has not been found during the extensive scene examination of the address.

"I believe amongst Matthew's friends and associates that there is information that they hold which could lead to identifying the offender for this murder. I urge them to contact us with any information they may have."

BACKYARD BURIAL released its debut album, titled "Symptoms Of Psychopathology", in 1999.

Matthew John Hall: