The neighbour of a young Fijian-Indian woman found dead in her Manurewa, Auckland home early on Sunday says he got a call soon after from her shocked mother, to say she'd been murdered.
Police have launched a homicide inquiry after the woman was found dead about 1am in the Maich Rd home she shared with her parents and three-year-old daughter.
On Sunday churchgoers and market shoppers flooding into Manurewa for their Sunday ritual appeared oblivious to the ESR scientists poring over the modest home up the long driveway.
But those living just metres away like Nishu Gill were rattled by the death.
"We are very worried about our safety. If it can happen here and it is in the middle of the two houses, anything can happen here as well."
Neighbour Hardeep Gill was driving back from Kerikeri just after 1am when he said he got a distressed call from the victim's mother- saying her 24-year-old daughter had been murdered.
"She was crying. She is so upset at that time because when she phoned me, she also phoned police."
Ms Gill was at work overnight, but says none of the neighbours appear to have heard a thing.
"I told my mother, 'Did you hear any voices?' and she said no, because it's the middle of the night. Even I am surprised. If there will be any screaming or shouting it would be easily noticeable."
Newshub understands the victim's parents have said they went out for just a short time on Saturday night and returned to find her dead.
The toddler was believed to have been staying over with her dad, the victim's ex-partner, who family said she still got on well with.
The Fijian-Indian family moved in just two years ago and locals said they were active members of the community, inviting neighbours to their daughter's birthday celebrations and the Diwali Festival.
"A post-mortem will now determine the cause of death," Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum said. "Police would like to hear from any members of the community that may have been in the Maich Rd area of Manurewa last night."
Newshub.
