Today marks 40 years since Ernie Abbott went to work at Wellington’s Trade Hall, and never returned home.

On March 27, 1984, the caretaker was locking up for the day when he spied a discarded light-green suitcase on the ground behind a wall.

Curious, he picked it up by its cloth-wrapped handle - triggering a mercury switch hidden inside. He was killed instantly as the force tore through the passageway of the Vivian St building.

The Police investigation to find the man who was seen carrying the suitcase into the building just before 7.30am that day has garnered more than 550 suspects and thousands of exhibits.

Today on The Front Page, Detective Sergeant Sam McKenzie joins to discuss whether police are any closer to closing this cold case.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

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