Detectives investigating the unsolved murder of Glen Calvin Wolffe believe the killer is being shielded.

Last night they said that, despite the offer of a $10,000 reward, they had not received the kind of response they had hoped for, meaning the murderer was still at large.

Mr. Wolffe, who was known as Bugsy, was found butchered in his Sandy's home last November by a relative.

He was believed to have lain undiscovered for a number of days after suffering several sharp force injuries on various parts of his body.

More than 200 people have been interviewed, but detectives have so far drawn a blank.

But last month, following the request for a reward from one of Mr. Wolffe's best friends, Police announced they were taking the unusual step of offering cash in return for information leading to the arrest of the killer.

But last night a Police spokesman said: "The offer of a reward in the case of Glen Calvin Wolffe has not received the response that Police had anticipated.

"The $10,000 was offered because Police believed there are individuals who have information that might reveal the identity of the culprit.

"The intention was to provide them with the opportunity to help the community to bring closure to a very serious crime.

"However, it appears, for whatever reason, those persons have so far withheld their support.

"This is an unfortunate reaction from certain members of the public who no doubt want to see justice being served, but who are choosing to play no part in the process.'' The spokesman refused to say last night whether they knew who those people with information were or whether they would be actively targetting them.

But he added: "We invite them to reconsider and to contact Police or Crime Stoppers with any information that may be meaningful to this case.'' Homosexual Mr. Wolffe, 43, who was the father of a teenage son, was found dead in his Heathcote Hill home on November 17.

Known to family and friends as a quiet, private man, he lived alone and was last definitely seen alive by relatives on the Friday before his body was found.

He was known to frequent clubs around Hamilton, but during the few days before his death he was not seen with anybody out of the ordinary.

And the senior detective leading the inquiry into the murder, Detective Chief Inspector Carlton Adams told The Royal Gazette that he did not believe Mr.

Wolffe was killed by someone specifically targetting men at random, or that his death was caused by a sex game gone wrong.

Six months after Mr. Wolffe was found, Det. Chief Insp. Adams broke his silence on the slaying and said he would continue to persevere with the case until the killer was brought before the courts.

He said: "Bugsy was murdered. He deserves, and his family deserves, to have closure of this.'' Anyone with information about the murder should call Police on 299-4315 or, alternatively, Crime Stoppers, where they can report information anonymously, on 1-800-623-8477.