Young mother found dead in Rotorua school knew her killer - police

Police say a young mother found dead on the grounds of a Rotorua school knew her killer.

As detectives continue to search for Lynace Parakuka's attacker, St Michael's Catholic School is considering cancelling Monday's classes as locals come to grips with the tragedy.

Her body was found on the grounds of the Western Heights school late on Friday night. Police say it wasn't a random attack and that she would have known her attacker.

Detectives continued door-knocking on Sunday. Locals told Newshub that Ms Parakuka suffered serious head injuries, and that she only recently moved to the suburb.

A woman whose children attend the school told Newshub she's in shock, and is finding it difficult to explain to them why they couldn't play at the school over the weekend.

St Michael's is scheduled to open on Monday, and a blessing will be held.

Ms Parakuka was just 22 and had a young daughter. Family and friends took to social media to express their grief at losing someone so young; they say her daughter was the centre of her world.

No one has been arrested in relation to her death, but police say they're speaking to several people who were in the area on Friday night.

Newshub.