[3] In his latter years he was based at the Whau River Catchment Trust offices at the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club in Auckland,[1] and had told acquaintances that he thought he was on the autism spectrum.

[8] He contributed to biosecurity in New Zealand by reporting 39 species not previously found in the country to the Ministry for Primary Industries.

[1] On 24 August 2024 Thorpe was murdered by an apparent intruder at the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club and recreation area where he used an office for his work as he left on his daily walk to look for insects and plants.

[13] A karakia that was attended by dozens of community members was held at the scene where Thorpe was killed.

[14] Thorpe's funeral service was held on 2 September 2024 at the same tennis club where he had worked and died.