She estimated Holland to be in his 50s and described him as \u201ca real character\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a real individual in his thinking and always had something interesting to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stace said Holland loved music and often had it playing, and was someone people gravitated towards, getting along well with most of them.<\/p>\n
Though the organisation had its occasional \u201cups and downs\u201d with Holland, Stace said it was going to be \u201creally strange\u201d not having him at Under the Stars\u2019 Thursday and Saturday meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very hard to believe that he won\u2019t be popping up asking for some clean socks next time I go in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stace said Holland also volunteered at times, helping to prepare meals and set up tables.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could always ask him to carry something for you.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a real friendly, helpful guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the group learned of Holland\u2019s death on Saturday through their community, she said.<\/p>\n
Ani Stace of Under the Stars says Dax Holland was a “real friendly, helpful guy”.<\/p>\n
The impact had rippled quickly among people experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe homeless community are really vulnerable to situations like this\u201d, Stace said.<\/p>\n
Holland was the fourth member of the community to die during her five years in the role.<\/p>\n
Stace said his loss highlighted the humanity behind homelessness, and that people on the streets were not defined by their circumstances but by the lives and experiences that shaped them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind every face you see on the street, there\u2019s a person with a story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holland would be \u201chugely missed\u201d, Stace said.<\/p>\n
Under the Stars planned to take a moment to remember Holland before its next meal service.<\/p>\n
The last post on Holland\u2019s Facebook page was from 2.20am on Saturday and included a collection of uncaptioned selfies, posing with people in the Tauranga CBD.<\/p>\n
In a video, he sings George Thorogood & The Destroyers\u2019 Bad to the Bone into a karaoke mic.<\/p>\n
Under interests, the page said he loved singing karaoke.<\/p>\n
Homicide investigation launched<\/p>\n
Police announced on Wednesday that they had opened a homicide case after the death of a man in Tauranga on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Police would not confirm the identity of the deceased in the case, but Stuff reported it was Holland, and he has also been identified on social media.<\/p>\n
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said the man\u2019s body was discovered in a secluded area of Wharepai Domain about 2pm on Saturday.<\/p>\n
A post-mortem examination on Monday established the victim\u2019s death was suspicious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now working to establish what happened and identify who was involved,\u201d the police Western Bay of Plenty area investigations manager said.<\/p>\n
The scene examination had been completed.<\/p>\n
Flowerdew-Brown said police would like to speak with anyone who had information that could help the investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ask people to contact us if they saw unusual or suspicious behaviour around the Wharepai Domain prior to 2pm on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone with information was asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking \u201cUpdate report\u201d, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 260214\/8937.<\/p>\n
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers, on 0800 555 111.<\/p>\n