12 Jun 2023

Fire at Rangiora property searched during homicide investigation

9:56 am on 12 June 2023
Generic fire truck.

Emergency services were called to the fire around 2am on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

A suspicious fire at a North Canterbury property overnight was at the same house investigated in relation to the homicide of Richard Leman, police have confirmed.

Emergency services responded to the blaze at the house near Southbrook Road in Rangiora around 2am on Monday.

Police said the property was searched last month in the hunt for Leman's dismembered body, which was found nearby in a car.

Richard Anthony Leman

Richard Leman was found dead in April. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

A 46-year-old man is facing a murder charge over Leman's death.

A guard has been put in place at the scene of fire which is being treated as suspicious.