Stephen Thorpe was killed in a violent attack in the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club carpark on Saturday. 

Police say his attacker likely fled the scene in blood-stained clothing. 

Those living in surrounding streets have been asked for security and dashcam footage. 

Detectives hunting for the killer of an Auckland scientist believe someone is sitting on “key information” that will help lead to the man who fatally stabbed him in a tennis club car park. 

This morning a group gathered to bless the scene in Auckland’s Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club where 54-year-old Stephen Thorpe died in a violent attack on Saturday morning. 

The group, some embracing each other in tears, stood near the tennis club to remember Thorpe and bless the scene. 

Although the cordons have been lifted a large police presence remains, with officers continuing to question neighbours and collect evidence. 

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin told the Herald from the scene the blessing was organised by police and it was a “great turn out”. 

“This is something we do to bring people closure, people have to move on with their lives.” 

He said investigators continued to sift through “good information” but still appealed for security footage. 

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Baldwin believed someone was sitting on “key information” and wanted them to come forward immediately. 

Stephen Thorpe has been named as the victim in the Blockhouse Bay stabbing. 

Police were still at the Rathlin St scene yesterday where it remained under a cordon while investigations continued. 

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police were preparing to lift their cordons at the club. He said the scene examination was complete. 

“Police have been in contact with immediate family, who are based in Australia, and we will keep them updated as the investigation progresses,” Baldwin said. 

Thorpe was a highly regarded entomologist with a passion for seeking out and identifying bugs and plants. 

A founding trustee of the New Zealand Moths and Butterflies Trust, Jacqui Knight, told the Herald that Thorpe had “no enemies”. 

Her building is next to the tennis club and she had known Thorpe for 10 years. 

“He was highly respected … he knew so much about the flora and fauna in the area. 

“He was always helping people … he was so well-liked. 

“I never knew anyone to speak ill of Stephen.” 

‘Be careful’ warns New Lynn MP 

Yesterday New Lynn MP Paulo Garcia said the murder was “mind-boggling”. 

“[Thorpe] was someone who, I read, wouldn’t have hurt anyone, and so we wonder how something like this could happen, and we all need to be careful.” 

He said his office had been in touch with the Police Auckland City West area commander, and he believed police were doing the best they could. 

“They’re on 24/7 deployment. They’re talking to witnesses, the usual CCTV search from the houses that could have a view of the place. So we will wait and see,” he said. 

He said at this stage of the investigation, community safety was important as the killer had not yet been caught. 

“We don’t know who’s out there, who’s done that, why it’s been done, and right there where everybody walks through. I walk through the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club, that’s a very public place,” he said. 

Violent struggle before death 

Police had earlier revealed a “violent struggle” took place between Thorpe and his attacker. 

Their attention was focused on finding Thorpe’s attacker, who was likely wearing blood-stained clothing after the fatal stabbing. 

Police continue to investigate the stabbing of scientist Stephen Thorpe near the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club yesterday. Photo / Michael Craig. 

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said there was a “large amount of blood” at the scene and some of that would have transferred to the killer. 

“This offender will have gone somewhere, likely in an agitated state and likely with some blood on him. Someone will know who this person is and I challenge them to do the right thing and come forward.” 

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.