Police are investigating the murder of a 36 year old woman Catherine Alkema in Lower Hutt.
Ms Alkema’s body was found on the riverbank beside the Hutt River near Pharazyn Street at around 4.00 pm last evening.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam said the woman had left her home to go for a two-hour walk. The route she was familiar with was along Gordon street, across High Street, into Frederick Street, across Avalon Park to the Kennedy Good bridge before walking south along the riverbank on the eastern side of the river. She has then crossed the river at either the Ewen Bridge or Melling Bridge and walked along the track between these two bridges on the western side of the river before being killed.
However, Police are not discounting any other route she may have taken.
"The attack happened in broad daylight and it appears Catherine Alkema has been strangled or garrotted," said Mr Oxnam.
"This is a particularly unpleasant death so we are appealing for anyone who may have seen her on Saturday morning in the area of the Hutt River to come forward with any information."
Mr Oxnam said Police were unable to confirm where the victim was killed although her body was found on the riverbank approximately 400 metres south of the Melling Bridge.
Police are setting an 0800 number for people to call with information. This will be available on the Police web site later today.
ENDS
News media contact: Jon Neilson 027 4450031