Three days since the death of 69-year-old Cunxiu Tian in her own home, police say she suffered a violent death after an "utterly appalling assault".
Ms Tian was struck multiple times around the face and head area, post-mortem results reveal.
"Whilst we will not be drawn further on the specifics of the attack, I can say that Ms Tian has been the victim of a prolonged assault," says Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small.
Police say although this is a "frightening ordeal for the community", they are doing everything they can "to bring justice".
Police continue to keep an open mind in regard to the cause of the attack. A burglary is one probe but they are "keeping an open mind as the investigation has gone forward".
(3 News)
Police say have around 25 investigative staff assisting, including a forensic team and criminal profiling specialists.
Sgt Small says police have thousands of hours' worth of CCTV footage that they are in the process of examining.
Ms Tian's family are "devastated at the loss", and police were with the family this morning. Det Snr Sgt Small says they are "the most humble family", and his sympathies go out to them.
The family are assisting police with the inquiry but cannot be brought back to the scene due to forensic purposes.
Police urge nearby residents to examine their own properties in detail and check doors and window frames for scratches, soil on door frames or outside that could have come from shoes and footprints or dirty marks on outside window ledges. Police ask residents to leave anything found out-of-place as it was and to call police.
They also ask residents to think over movements on Friday between 9am and 5:30pm, because "whoever was the cause of this would be acting suspicious".
Ms Tian was found dead in her own home on Glenvil Ln in the Auckland suburb by her daughter and son-in-law on Friday evening.
Neighbours told media yesterday that an ambulance, armed police, dog squads and a helicopter swarmed the area, causing a lockdown of the street.
Detectives are continuing the area canvass and door-knocking around the wider area, speaking to residents.
"So far we've only had a few calls to our dedicated Op Nepal 0800 number," says Det Snr Sgt Small.
"Though we are getting a pleasing level of assistance from Te Atatu residents, I can't stress enough how much we need to hear from anyone who has seen something or someone who appeared suspicious or out-of-place on Friday, or in the days before."
Flowers left outside the Glenvil Ln address (3 News)
Police have set up a number – 0800 772 271 – for people to provide information to the Operation Nepal homicide investigation team, or people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police have already obtained CCTV footage from around the address, and ask anyone else with CCTV footage from the "tightknit" community to come forward.
Police say it is "far too early to speculate" on the cause of her death. A burglary is one probe but they are "keeping an open mind as the investigation has gone forward".
A vigil will be held for Ms Tian on Tuesday evening at 7pm at the Te Atatu Baptist Church.
3 News
