Death in raided house a mystery, say family

An elderly woman found dead in her ransacked house had been in good health, a relative said yesterday.

The cause of the woman’s death remains a mystery.

Police forensic investigators continued their work at the Avondale home yesterday where the woman, 82, was found on Tuesday.

The relative said the woman was found outside a bedroom. The home’s contents were tipped throughout it.

The man believed an intruder had broken into the home during the afternoon and the woman — who came to New Zealand in 2006 — is believed to have died shortly afterwards.

It was unclear if she was attacked. Police officers in white overalls and masks could be seen sifting through various items being bagged and brought out on to the front yard of the St Georges Rd house.

A car parked in the driveway was dusted for fingerprints.

Auckland City West CIB acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Franich said police were continuing to treat her death as unexplained.

Police were awaiting results from a post-mortem examination which was expected to be done tody.

“Police have previously said there had been a burglary at the address but we still do not have any evidence to link the burglary and death of this woman at this time,” Franich said.

“However we are keeping an open mind as our investigation continues.”

He asked anyone with information to call Avondale Police Station on (09) 302 6400. “Our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with the woman’s family.” He said police and Victim Support were helping them.