High-heeled shoes clue in murder hunt

By LOUISA CLEAVE police reporter

The woman's body was partly hidden by bushes.

A pair of black, strappy high-heeled shoes was recovered 150m away in a carpark.

Detectives investigating the discovery believe the shoes belonged to the woman. They were one of the few clues that might help police identify the Pacific Island woman, whose body was found at Army Bay on Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

Locals say the area where the woman was found, who was aged between 35 and 45, is used by anglers launching boats during the day.

During the night, it is a place for lovers and where drug deals are transacted. A man walking his dog found the body at 9am on Saturday morning.

The woman, who was 1.58m in height and plump in build, was wearing black pants and a maroon jersey.

She carried no personal items, wore no jewellery and had no distinguishing marks on her body to help in identification.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Davey, head of the murder inquiry, is asking the public for help.

"We're appealing for anyone to come forward with [information about] anybody they think may not have turned up over the weekend."

Local resident Lenore Denz told the Herald she heard cars "zooming up and down" the road towards the reserve some time between midnight and 2.30am on Saturday.

"They sounded like hoons."

Mrs Denz said the noisy vehicles were "not particularly common" for that time of night, although the reserve was busy most of the time.

The reserve has two carparks, one for boat trailers, and is a popular launching spot for fishing boats and people surfcasting off the beach.

"[At night] it's a place for lovers, barbecues late at night on the beach, that sort of thing," said Mrs Denz.

Another nearby resident said there was drug dealing in the area.

"I quite often see a car go down and stop, then another car pulls alongside and there's an exchange and off they go," said the man, who did not want to be identified.











Mr Davey would not comment on the cause of death, or whether police were searching for a weapon. But he did say the position the body was lying in and where it was found indicated someone else was involved.

Police know that the body was not in the bushes during heavy rain, which stopped at 7pm.

Mr Davey said the area was a popular spot for fishing, scenic drives and couples wanting "a bit of peace and quiet".

Anyone with information should phone Orewa police on (09) 427-9805 or (09) 427-9806.