Arthur Easton murder investigators head to Australia

Arthur Easton was murdered in 1985. In 2022, Alan Hall’s wrongful murder conviction was overturned.
Photograph: Given / Police

A team of detectives traveled to Australia to re-investigate the murder of Arthur Easton 39 years ago.

On Sunday evening, October 13, 1985, a man broke into Easton’s family home in Grove Rd, Papakura, and stabbed 52-year-old Easton to death.

Alan Hall Wrongly convicted of Easton murder and spent 19 years in prison for this crime. His conviction was overturned in 2022.

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Police announced a $100,000 reward and possible immunity from prosecution in October in a request for information.

Detective Inspector Warrick Adkin, Districts Manukau CIB, said they had since received around 20 calls and emails with information about the case.

He said this led police to travel to Australia to speak to several people.

A small group of investigators traveled to Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland last week.

“The visit to three Australian states was beneficial to the investigation,” Adkin said.

“When we spoke to these individuals, we received additional information related to some of the original information given to police almost 40 years ago.”

Police were hopeful that people in Papakura and the wider community would continue to come forward.

“There are people who have not yet spoken to police who may have information regarding Arthur’s death,” he said. “Please contact us, now is the time to share what you know, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”

Anyone with information can contact 0800 GROVE 1985 (0800 47683 1985) or email [email protected]. You can also get information online using reference number 200520/4108 or by calling 105.