New Zealand Daily News
Victim believed to have frequented gay venues
By GayNZ.com Daily News staff
1st August 2010 - 03:53 pm

Denis Phillips

6.20pm: Word is circulating in the gay community that a man matching the description of murder victim Denis Norman Phillips was known to frequent a number of central Auckland gay venues.

The 59-year-old's body was found in his Papakura home yesterday afternoon. He is believed to have been stabbed to death yesterday morning.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with his murder and is due to appear in the Papakura Youth court tomorrow.

Police say there is no evidence of a sexual incident, however they are being cagey about revealing any circumstances of the killing due to the accused teenager's age.

Phillips had worked with the Counties-Manukau police for the past twelve years and was a temporary sworn officer before his death. His colleagues are tonight holding a memorial service.