Young mum found at home after stabbing

A young mother, stabbed in her Napier home the day before Mother’s Day, was left alone and crying for help.

The woman was found injured at a house in Kelvin Rd in suburban Maraenui around 2pm on Saturday, according to Hawke’s Bay police.

It was still ‘‘very early stages’’ in the investigation as the victim, who was in her mid-20s, could not be interviewed on Saturday due to her injuries, a department spokesman said.

The residential property remained cordoned off yesterday as the Hawke’s Bay criminal investigation (CIB) branch carried out a forensic scene examination.

A blue tent was set up at the back of the house, and men in white hazmat suits could be seen inside. Children’s toys, including a plastic swing set, were littered across the front yard.

A Hawke’s Bay District Health Board spokeswoman refused to comment on the woman’s condition and referred all questions to police.

The police spokesman confirmed that the woman was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital on Saturday afternoon. There, she underwent ‘‘emergency surgery’’; however, he did not know what the outcome of that was.

The victim was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Her condition was unknown, however initial reports had suggested that the woman would survive, he said.

Police had not made any arrests yet but officers would ‘‘eventually’’ be looking for people in relation to the incident.

‘‘We locked down the scene, guarded it overnight and today forensic teams have been scouring through it.’’

The incident was first reported to police by a member of the public who was passing the address and ‘‘heard the cries for help’’.

The woman was found inside the property alone, he said. Her children were believed to be staying with relatives at the time of the incident.

The victim’s immediate family had been notified.

Joseph Johns, who lives nearby, said he heard voices coming from the house on Saturday morning.

Johns claimed he could hear arguing, which got ‘‘pretty out of hand’’. He had been living in the street for about a year and half, and was shocked the stabbing happened so close to his home. ‘‘It’s a pretty friendly street.’’

Johns did not personally know the occupants but would say hello when walking past. Anybody with information should call Hawke’s Bay police or the Crimestoppers line (0800 555 111).

‘‘We locked down the scene, ... and today forensic teams have been scouring through it.’’ A Hawke’s Bay police spokesman

ANDRE CHUMKO/STUFF A woman was found crying for help after she was stabbed in this Napier home on Saturday. Yesterday, the property was cordoned off as police officers investigated the scene.