Residents at Wellington Council flats stressed by Oliver Hayes' unexplained death
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
A community co-ordinator in the Wellington Council-run apartment block where a
dubstep musician was found dead
said residents were apprehensive and stressed by the unexplained death.
Police confirmed they were investigating after 40 year-old musician Oliver Hayes was found dead in the Newtown Park Apartments on Saturday.
Liz Heta said she had to be careful when talking about his death among the tenants.
"Just not knowing what happened is the biggest thing. They feel that they're just left wondering what happened. If someone starts up a conversation and one of these people are here I will shut it down because this person's going to go back to their flat and be upset all night. It's a bit much sometimes," Heta said.
Heta said Hayes was the second person to die in the flats in the last fortnight, after another resident suffered a heart attack earlier in the week.
A long-time Newtown resident - who did not want to be named - said the large police presence investigating Hayes' death was upsetting for children in the neighbourhood.
She said loud or disruptive behaviour was not uncommon in the area, but the flats were also home to a vibrant and diverse community.
"It's really, really sad. I feel sad for my friends at the flat. I feel sad for Newtown because Newtown's a beautiful place. It's a diverse place and that's why we love it," she said.
The resident said - despite regular police callouts to the flats - the number of police in the neighbourhood on Saturday showed that something serious had happened.
Musicians and friends took to social media to pay tribute to Hayes describing him as a pioneer in the Drum n Bass and Dub-step scene in New Zealand and Australia.
One artist who did not want to be named called him a "true icon for sound production" and the "most badass producer of bass music this side of the globe has ever seen".
Police were called to the death on Mansfield Street at around 7.15pm.
In a
post on social media
his sister Louise Hayes said her brother, who was also known as Olie Bassweight, had been found unexpectedly dead on Saturday.
"There is a police investigation. It seems something terrible might have happened to him. We wait for answers."
Louise said Olie had touched many with his music, philosophy, curiosity and passion.
"His light was like no other. We are heartbroken and thrown into tumultuous grief and shock. I don't know what else to say."
Police said their inquires into the circumstance surrounding Hayes's death were ongoing.
"Police are appealing for anyone who knew Mr Hayes and who had recent contact with him, to please contact us immediately.
"Police would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Hayes in the days prior to Saturday evening, in particular residents of the apartment complex who may have seen him moving about."
Information could be reported using the reference file number 250607/5712.
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