Armed Police and detectives cornered off a property in Oakhurst Place, Christchurch on Monday evening.

Armed police and investigators in forensic suits are at a suburban Christchurch address as part of homicide inquiries over the death of young father Shayne George Heappey.

Police arrived at the scene in Oakhurst Place, Russley, early on Monday evening, and a Canterbury District Command Centre spokeswoman confirmed they were investigating the homicide.

A tent has been erected on the footpath outside the house.

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF Investigators in forensic suites at a property in Oakhurst Place, Christchurch.

No charges have been laid in relation to the death.

Heappey, aged 25 and the father of a young daughter, died after he was dropped off at Christchurch Hospital late on Saturday with life-threatening injuries.



READ MORE: Woman dropped homicide victim off at hospital with stab wound, witness says

A neighbour near the Oakhurst Pl address believed an elderly man and his son lived at the house that police were examining.

SAM SHERWOOD/STUFF There was a large police presence on Oakhurst Place, Russley on Monday night as police investigated the death of Shayne George Heappey.

Another neighbour said the elderly man lived at the address and was often visited by a young man she believed to be his son.

The large police presence was "a bit of a shock in our quiet little street", she said.

Earlier on Monday, Heappey's devastated twin brother, Marcus Heappey, said the family did not know what led to his death or who was responsible.

SAM SHERWOOD/STUFF Police investigating a property on Oakhurst Place, Russley.

"He lived life on the edge. He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he was just a man that couldn't stand still and obviously got himself in a bit of strife on Saturday night."

He said his brother was a "free spirit".

"He went into everything with a smile, he was very strong willed and had the most beautiful heart," Marcus Heappey said.

SUPPLIED Shayne Heappey died on Saturday night. Police are treating his death as a homicide.

"He was a man that would light up a room when he walked in. He demanded attention."

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@stuff.co.nz

The two men were due to celebrate their 26th birthday in a week's time.

He said the family was "devastated". Shayne Heappey's daughter told her grandmother she "loved daddy to the moon and back".

On Sunday a witness told Stuff a woman had arrived at the entrance of the emergency department tooting her car's horn, yelling that a man was dying.

The witness said hospital staff rushed to the car to get the victim out of the car. She described the victim as a young blond-haired man, with what appeared to be a stab wound in his chest. His top was off and he did not appear to be breathing, she said.

The driver of the car tried to drive away but her car was blocked off by police officers who had arrived within minutes. The witness said the driver, who appeared to be in shock, told officers she had found the young man on the footpath, and asked if she was in trouble.

Detective Inspector Corrie Parnell said on Monday a person linked to the car which delivered the man to hospital was being spoken to by police. It was unclear how the driver had found Heappey. The car was under forensic examination by police and ESR.

He would not comment on what sort of injuries Heappey suffered.

Anyone with information was asked to call Christchurch Police on 03 363 7400 or can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.