Dead woman 'victim of multiple assaults'

A woman found dead in a King Country house had been assaulted many times, police say.

A homicide inquiry was launched after the body of Wini Miria Te Maia McLean, 20, was discovered in a Benneydale house on Saturday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pete van Wetering of Te Kuiti today said a post mortem carried out yesterday found Ms McLean had a number of injuries and was "the victim of multiple assaults".

He said a man who was known to Ms McLean was helping with inquiries but no charges had yet been laid.

He was unable to say when an arrest would be made.

Ms McLean's body would be released to her family today.

Ms McLean, who lived and worked in Benneydale, east of Te Kuiti, attended a party in the town on Friday night.

Police said they were still anxious to speak to people who may have been at the local hotel or the party.

- NZPA