Detectives are hoping forensic tests completed today will provide a major breakthrough in solving the mystery death of a Bay woman at a popular picnic spot.
The body of a 24-year-old Tauranga woman was taken from McLaren Falls Park yesterday after police were alerted to her death on Monday afternoon.
The body
was removed about 3pm and taken to Auckland where an autopsy would be carried out today.
The woman was found in a red Mazda Familia car only a few hundred metres from the entrance to the Marshalls Animal Park about 1pm.
Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said post mortem examination results could shed some light on how the woman died.
"The focus is to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman's death," Mr Turner said.
"Police have spoken with the parents and family of the woman but will not be releasing her name in the immediate future."
The car the woman was found in was also taken from the scene yesterday and will be forensically examined over the next few days, Mr Turner said.
A team of 10 Tauranga police and two forensic scientists from Auckland yesterday combed three areas in the park including where the woman was found and an area near a power substation. Police are particularly interested in contacting a couple who were seen riding a farm-style motorbike in the park about midday. pfen Anyone with any information can contact the Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300 or 0800 SPEAKUP (0800 7732587).
