Police have today announced a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person responsible for murdering Arthur Easton 39 years ago.
Counties Manukau Police say the operation is “re-examining the events of that fateful Sunday night in Papakura, on October 13, 1985, after an intruder was disturbed in the Easton family home”.
Detective Inspector Warrick Adkin of Counties Manukau CIB is releasing a fresh public appeal for information, alongside a reward.
“The investigation is being run out of Counties Manukau district, with a team of professional and highly motivated investigators,” Adkin says.
“This is a first step in our public appeal and police are determined to hold the person responsible for Arthur’s death to account, no matter how much time has passed.
“As part of this reward, immunity against prosecution will be considered for any accomplice, not being a principal offender, who gives information or evidence that leads to a successful conviction.”
The Commissioner of Police will determine the amount of the reward and will apportion it if there is more than one claimant, police say.
The reward remains in place until January 24, 2025.
Police say, 39 years ago, a male intruder entered the Easton family home on Grove Road, Papakura, at 8pm on Sunday, October 13, 1985.
One of Arthur’s sons disturbed the intruder and alerted the household.
The intruder was wearing a brown woollen hat pulled down over his face, police say, and armed with a bayonet.
Easton and his two teenage sons confronted the intruder in the hallway, leading to a violent altercation, police say.
The 52-year-old received multiple stab wounds and later succumbed to the injuries at the scene.
Police say the offender escaped the Grove Road property and fled through a walkway adjacent to the property leading to Alma Crescent.
The woollen hat and bayonet were recovered at the Grove Road property.
To this day, police say, Easton’s killer remains at large, and the new investigation will work to bring the culprit before the justice system.
“This homicide happened nearly four decades ago, but we know there will be people still in the community today that know who is responsible,” Adkin says.
“Time can help bring perspective and, in this case, it might be an opportunity to get this off your conscience.”
Adkin says the Easton family deserve answers.
“The violent actions that night have denied the Eastons important years with Arthur, and we need to bring them some closure.”
As part of the operation, police say they’ve been reviewing evidence gathered in 1985.
“Police are conscious that charges have been laid over actions taken in the original homicide investigation, and subsequent appeals,” Adkin says.
“What we’re very clear about is that Alan Hall is not the man responsible for Arthur’s death.”
Police have opened a direct phone line to the investigation team through the creation of an 0800 number and email address: 0800 GROVE 1985 (0800 47683 1985); Operation.Grove1985@police.govt.nz. Reference number 200520/4108.
Police say, “anyone with information is urged to make contact to assist in this investigation”.
Other information can be provided by updating police online, by calling 105, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police have also released a statement on behalf of Arthur Easton’s family:
“Thirty-nine years ago, our lives were shattered when our father was brutally murdered in our home.
“He was a kind, hardworking man who cherished his family.
“He would have liked nothing better than seeing his children grow up, be there for their important moments and would have loved being a grandfather.
“We have been robbed of a lifetime of memories with him.
“The pain of his loss and the unanswered questions continue to haunt us every day.
“We believe someone out there knows something that could help bring his killer to justice.
“Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
“If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please do the right thing, come forward and help us find peace.”
