Police investigating the mysterious killing of an Auckland man say he'd been robbed and threatened in the lead-up to his death.
And they believe that campaign of intimidation could be linked to Shannon Baker's killing inside his Sandringham home.
Police say it was clear as soon as they walked inside Mr Baker's home it was the scene of a horrific crime.
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"He'd been subjected to quite a violent death, and we treated it as a 'whodunnit'," Det. Insp Aaron Pascoe says.
The 55-year-old father who lived alone was last seen alive buying a meal at KFC on December 10. His body was found the next day.
Police say his killers went there to rob him and they suspect they'd been there before.
In the week before Mr Baker was killed, he told friends men were turning up at his home to rob him.
The first time, they stole his wallet.
A second time, police believe one of the men returned to threaten Mr Baker trying to access the combination to a safe.
But they never got it. The safe was found four days later near Mr Baker's body locked and with cash inside.
Detectives want anyone who saw unusual cars on Calgary Street on December 2, 6 or 10 to come forward.
"We know that it's the same offender who's gone there on the second of December and the 6th," Det Insp Pascoe says.
They also want to find Baker's Mercedes car keys that went missing the night of his death.
Police say they don't know whether he knew his killer or killers but they say they're getting closer to finding them.
And they're determined to get justice for Baker's family, including his two children who lost their Dad in the lead-up to Christmas.
Newshub.
