Police have a man in custody who was sought in connection with the fatal stabbing of a woman on a bus in Auckland’s Onehunga yesterday.
Police named the wanted man as Kael Leona, 37, and released a photo of him this morning. This afternoon, police said the man being sought handed himself in at North Shore police station.
Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson said police would like to thank the wider community for sharing the appeal.
“The investigation is still in its infancy and there’s still a lot of work to be one to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident.
“Police would like to thank everyone who has provided information, and would still like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this ordeal.
‘He is not to be approached’: Police seek man over fatal bus stabbing
Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson said they are hunting for Kael Leona after the attack in Onehunga, Auckland.
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‘He is not to be approached’: Police seek man over fatal bus stabbing1:14
Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson said they are hunting for Kael Leona after the attack in Onehunga, Auckland. (Source: 1News)
Emergency services were called to the route 74 bus on Church St at 2.30pm yesterday following reports of a stabbing.
Robertson said at a press conference this morning that the victim died at the scene and it was believed she and her attacker were not previously known to each other.
She said the two were sitting near each other on the bus for some time before the stabbing.
Leona was known to police, Robertson said.
“Our teams have been working through the night to find this person, who we believe is responsible for killing this woman.”
She said there would be an increased police presence in the Onehunga and Mt Wellington areas today, and while further inquiries were carried out.
Robertson confirmed a police presence on Moana Ave in the area late last night was related to a vehicle of interest and would be part of the investigation.
She said there were “some items of interest to us”.
