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Community reels after loss of Alex Fisher

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 9 Oct 2015, 7:21AM
Alex Fisher (Supplied)
Alex Fisher (Supplied)

Community reels after loss of Alex Fisher

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 9 Oct 2015, 7:21AM

UPDATED 4.25pm: A blessing is expected to be held at the site later this afternoon.

A post mortem will take also take place today, as part of the homicide investigation to Alex's death.

Police say they're building a good picture of the events leading to the death and are assuring the Waitarere community there is no wider risk to them.

One resident describes the community as close and says its 500 or so residents are feeling spooked.

READ: Statement from Ohau School, that Alex Fisher attended

It's unknown why Alex Fisher was in Waitarere.

He lived with his parents about 10km away in a quiet residential part of Levin.

Scout leader Barry Fitzgerald describes Alex as a typical 10-year-old, eager to learn and enthusiastic about Scouting.

The Boardroom Bar on Oxford Street in nearby Levin - which is where he lived with his parents - has written 'RIP Alex Fisher' in large lettering on its main road facing signs.

Duty manager Hayden Davidson said the whole community is devastated by the news.

A Give-a-Little fundraising page has been set up for his parents.

Donations are already close to $700 on the fundraising page - set up by Tori Windley.

Ms Windley said nothing can bring Alex Fisher back, but we can try to ease the family's load.

All funds will go to his immediate family, to help them with any on-going financial coasts that come with dealing with the loss of their child.

Police continue to appeal to anyone who saw Alex and his brother Eric on or before Monday night to get in touch.

A post mortem will be carried out today, and arrangements for formal identification of the 10-year-old are also being made.

Around 20 investigators are working on the homicide inquiry, which police say will continue over the weekend.

The scene examination at Waitarere Beach is also expected to continue over the coming days.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said they're keeping an open mind about what's happened.

He said they're building a good picture of the events which led to the boy's death, and it's important those in Waitarere know they don't believe there's any wider risk to the community.

Community in mourning 

A community in mourning will hold a vigil on Sunday night for Alex Fisher, the boy found dead on the sand dunes of Waitarere Beach yesterday.

Waitarere Domain will host the vigil, which will start at 7pm, with religious leaders welcoming those attending.

Police will then address the crowd, before a play group plants a tree, and members of the Poroutawhao School community sing a waiata.

At 7.44 candles will be lit in remembrance of Alex.

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