German hitchhiker stabbed to death

A woman whose stabbed body was found in Egmont National Park was a German hitchhiker.  

The body was found by a member of the public at the end of a walking track at Lucy's Gully scenic reserve, near New Plymouth, last night.  

She was believed to be German and in her mid 20s, Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said today.  

Police had some knowledge of who she was but would not release her name until she had been formally identified and her family notified, he said.  

The cause of death was unknown but it appeared she had been stabbed. ESR scientists were conducting a scene examination of the area and a post mortem examination would be conducted on her body tomorrow, Mr Coward said.
 
Police are appealing for any sightings of the woman between Wanganui and Lucy's Gully, particularly on State Highway 3 and 45. 

"Police believe she left Wanganui yesterday at 8.30am where she began hitchhiking on Great North Rd," Mr Coward said.  

"She was given a ride to Waitotara and was last seen there at 9.15am. To date that is the last known and confirmed sighting of her until she was found at Lucy's Gully."  

The woman was described as about 173cm-175cm tall, of slight build, with shoulder-length black hair that could have been tied up, and possibly wearing glasses.  

She was wearing jeans, a green jersey, tramping boots and possibly a windbreaker jacket. The woman was carrying a large dark-coloured backpack and a smaller dark-coloured bag.  

- NZPA