By Charlotte Shipman
Police investigating the homicide of Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell are confident they will find his killer.
But, so far no weapon has been found and no eye witnesses have come forward.
When Mr Cottrell's life support was turned off, Radio New Zealand's head of news was there to say goodbye to a much-loved colleague.
"He was lucky he had a good circle of friends and colleagues that were up with him," says Don Rood.
There's no security footage of the attack and so far no witnesses either. Regardless, Det Snr Sgt Scott Miller says police will find the killer.
"I'm very confident that we will have a resolution in this matter."
Mr Cottrell left work at Radio New Zealand at 5:30am on Saturday. Eleven minutes later he was found by a taxi driver on the footpath on Boulcott St.
"It is very difficult to police isolated incidents where you have people, troublemakers, miscreants coming into town - possibly with alcohol," says Det Insp Stephen Vaughan . "It's difficult to police."
Mr Cottrell's wallet is still missing. It's believed to have had $80 in it.
"It's very horrible to be killed for anything, but that's just totally senseless," says Mr Miller.
Two hours before Mr Cottrell was attacked, Wayan Rosie was punched outside Reading Cinema on Courtenay Pl - he then ran to a taxi.
"I was lucky to escape," he says.
Police say they don't believe the attacks are related.
3 News