The woman found dead in the Waikowhai Reserve, Hillsborough yesterday morning, was Mt Roskill resident Katrina Ann Jefferies.
She's been described to Police as a skilled worker who recently had her 22nd birthday. Police have just notified next of kin of her death and are with members of her family.
The area where Katrina was found by passersby at about 8.20am yesterday has been cordoned off to the public since. The scene examination is ongoing, though Police hope to finish it and reopen Waikowhai Rd late tomorrow morning.
The Police Specialist Search Group carried out a comprehensive search of the bush-clad area in the reserve today in the hope of finding items of interest to the homicide investigation. Anything collected from there today will be assessed as to its relevance to the inquiry.
A post-mortem examination of Ms Jefferies was completed mid-afternoon, but the preliminary results of that are inconclusive with respect to the cause of her death. Police do know she suffered some injuries to her upper body but are waiting on further information to help reconstruct how she came to be lying dead where she was found.
Although the pathologist could not say exactly how long she had been dead, it's not thought to have been any longer than 48 hours, possibly less.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity in or around Waikowhai Reserve in the last few days or who saw Ms Jefferies in that time is urged to call the Operation Waikowhai team on 0800 924 569.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz