'Violent death' for woman killed in Wellington flat

VICTIM: Police have launched a murder investigation after Allison McPhee's body was found in a unit of the Newtown Park flats in Wellington.

Relevant offers

Police have named a woman who died a violent death in a Wellington flat.

She was Allison McPhee, 42, unemployed, described as transient.

Police launched a murder investigation today after the woman's body was found in a unit of the Newtown Park flats, in Mansfield St, on Wednesday afternoon.

At a press conference this afternoon, Acting Detective Inspector Scott Miller said Ms McPhee was known to police, and did not have a strong relationship with her family.

''The post mortem indicates the deceased died a violent death...the post mortem shows she was definitely attacked. It would indicate a weapon was  possibly used.''

Her body lay dead for between three and five days before being found, Mr Miller said.

''Evidence from the scene shows violence has occurred. We believe violence occurred in the flat.''

Mr Miller said Police will speak with neighbours and other residents at the Newtown Park Flats today and over the weekend.

Forensic experts yesterday examined the ground-floor flat, which was hidden behind a blue tarpaulin.

The flat was "fairly messy" and it was not yet clear what had been disturbed and what was in its natural state.

"I urge anyone with information to come forward. Residents at Newtown Park Flats with any information can speak to an officer at the scene today and over the weekend," Mr Miller said.

The flat was on the same street as a halfway house where Kelly Noema, 37, was stabbed to death in August, a day after he was bailed there by police.

A man was charged with his murder.

Police are also investigating the death of a man, whose body was found floating near Miramar Wharf yesterday.

Contact Wellington police on 0800 2 PUAWAI (0800 2 782 924).

- NZPA