By Jane Luscombe
Police have found a weapon they believe could have been used in the murder of Auckland Co-op taxi driver Hiren Mohini.
The 39-year-old was stabbed numerous times in what is being described as a frenzied attack.
Mr Mohini’s death has left two girls without a father, and today a stream of taxi drivers came to pay their respects at the spot where he died.
Police know the cabbie picked up a fare near Sky City at 1.13am on Sunday.
Just 10 minutes later he pushed the panic button in his taxi, desperate for help after being stabbed multiple times.
As his life slipped away, witness Tammi Blair did what she could and stayed with him.
“On his face I could see what looked like a wound,” she says.
It was one of many, and Mr Mohini was unable to speak and tell her what happened.
Police have found a knife, and are hoping security camera footage from Sky City and other parts of Auckland will also give them a suspect.
“This is a frenzied, brutal, horrific act,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones.
“Mr Mohini was a good man, a father of two young children – they are all grieving very badly.”
Relatives are flying from India to attend Mr Mohini’s funeral. Co-op Taxis are meeting the cost and a nationwide collection has been launched to help support Mr Mohini’s family.
So far a motive remains unclear, although the attack could have been over as little as a $20 fare.
“These guys are out there trying to make a living for their families, don’t go and take someone’s live over it. $20? That’s just ridiculous,” says Ms Blair.
There are now 30 officers working on the case, and that number is likely to increase tomorrow.
Police say they are not ruling out the idea that there may have been more than one passenger in the taxi, and are appealing to even the criminal community for help.
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