Ihaia Gillman-Harris Police investigating the death of a man following a violent incident at an Auckland motel are not commenting on suggestions that the attack may have been connected to a gay-related hook-up gone wrong. Speculation is building that Ihaia Gillman-Harris, 54, may have gone to the motel in the company of two young men as the result of some kind of liaison. Gillman-Harris, who worked for KiwiRail in Auckland, is being described as a private man who spent Christmas with family in Wellington before travelling to Auckland and checking into the Ascot Motel in inner-city Epsom with two young men he told reception staff were "his nephews." Gillman-Harris later appeared at reception with a head injury and subsequently died in hospital. The two young men have yet to be identified but police are circulating security camera images of the pair. (See images below). A police spokesperson acknowledges they are aware that "a rumour is going around" that there may be a gay aspect to the incident but she is unable to comment on "if or why" it may relate to the case or whether it is being explored. "A lot of information is coming in," the spokesperson says and she urges anyone who knew the victim or who has information on either of the young men to contact the police right away. Anyone with information should call the police on 09 302 6400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, confidentiality can be requested.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 29th December 2014 - 8:20am