Death threats heard from slain woman's home

Allison McPhee, 42, was found dead in a Wellington flat on Wednesday. Photo / NZPA

A neighbour heard death threats coming from the Wellington council flat where a woman was brutally murdered.

Police yesterday launched a homicide investigation after the body of Allison McPhee, 42, at the Newtown Park Flats on Mansfield St, in suburban Newtown, shortly after 3pm Wednesday.

Acting Detective Inspector Scott Miller said yesterday that a preliminary post mortem result indicated that she was the victim of a violent attack in which a weapon was probably used and had been dead between three to five days.

Mr Miller said an argument had been overheard in the flat between 5pm and 6pm last Sunday, but it was not yet clear whether this had escalated to violence.

He said Ms McPhee, who was unemployed, was known to police, and had lived a fairly transient lifestyle.

A neighbour told the Dominion Post that he heard banging and death threats coming from the flat last Sunday.

He said he jumped out of bed after hearing someone yelling "I'll kill you b....." but all was quiet by the time he got dressed and reached the door.

He said he felt annoyed with himself that he did not go to make sure she was OK.

"Maybe it would have made a difference."

Mr Miller said that police would be speaking to neighbours and residents over the weekend and appealed to anyone with information to contact police.

- NZPA