Sun 11 Dec 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Gay Wellington man Phillip Cottrell has died in hospital after being attacked and beaten in central Wellington on his way home from work, and police are now treating the case as homicide. The 43-year-old Radio New Zealand journalist was fatally injured on Boulcott Street, where he had walked after leaving work on The Terrace at 5.30AM yesterday. "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," Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller says. It's understood he suffered a broken neck and arm, and brain damage. Cottrell died in Wellington Hospital this afternoon. Miller says police have spent much of the day completing a scene examination and an area canvas. "We have a number of enquiries which need to be carried out over the coming days to ascertain what has occurred and how this victim came to be fatally assaulted." "I urge anyone who was in the vicinity of Boulcott Street between 5:30AM and 6:15AM yesterday morning who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to come forward as soon as possible and contact us on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." Police will release more details about their investigation tomorrow.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 11th December 2011 - 5:37pm