Police are to investigate the mysterious death of rising gay fashion star Konrad Kahuroa, who died last Saturday after falling from a motorway overbridge in Auckland. Although it is believed no-one else was involved, friends and colleagues speaking to the police have spoken of Kahuroa's unusual behaviour in the days leading up to his death. Some were told he was in trouble, others that he had been sexually assaulted and drugged. Police are now holding an inquest into his death. One of Kahuroa's colleagues told the Sunday Star-Times that Kahuroa had spoken about going to the home of a property developer who had "shot him up with P" several days earlier. Kahuroa was reportedly terrified, and kept saying "they are going to chop my arms off". By contrast, Amanda Betts of the Red 11 talent agency said Kahuroa had come into her office about a week before his death "as bright as a button" and looking for work. The agency was impressed and was all ready to help him find TV work. James Burgess, a close friend of Kahuroa, said he saw a lot of him in the week before he died and suspects something must have happened to him. "He wouldn't have done it otherwise," he said. "People with dreams and visions don't take their own lives." Kahuroa's tangi will be held on a marae near Whakatane today, but there is to be a memorial service in Dunedin this Saturday December 17, 7pm at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Attendees will be invited to contribute words, images or memories to a book for Konrad's whanau. Further enquiries through UniQ Otago on (03) 479-5445.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 15th December 2005 - 12:00pm