Homicide inquiry started over body down bank

Katrina Ann Jefferies

Katrina Ann Jefferies, whose body was found down a bank near Manukau Harbour, was a mother of one and had recently celebrated her 22nd birthday.

She was unemployed but described as a "skilled worker", though police could not say anything more about her previous job.

Police yesterday launched a homicide inquiry into her death. Her body was found by two men walking a dog at Waikowhai Park in Hillsborough on Tuesday morning.

Ms Jefferies had family in Auckland and police were last night talking to her distraught mother.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley, said police had not spoken to the father of Ms Jefferies' child.

"It's early days in the investigation and there are no suspects at this stage."

Police said the Mt Roskill resident suffered injuries to her upper body, the nature of which has not been revealed. A post mortem examination conducted yesterday did not reveal the cause of death.

"We're going to see the pathologist [today] and hopefully he'll have some more answers," Mr Whitley said.

"It may take a week to get a definite answer to what occurred, but we'll know more [today]."

It is understood Ms Jefferies had died less than 48 hours before her body was discovered.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have witnessed anything in and around Waikowhai Park, or who saw Ms Jefferies recently. Ph: 0800 WAIKOWHAI/0800 924-569.