Man in court over damage to slain mother's car

Police are continuing to examine the scene. Photo / Greg Bowker

A man has been charged with wilfully damaging the car of a mother of four killed in her Papakura home.

The man appeared in Papakura District Court on the charge this week and was released on bail, said Detective Inspector Mark Gutry, who is heading the inquiry into the killing of 39-year-old Leanne Kingston on Monday.

Ms Kingston's body was found by one of her four sisters in the bathroom of her Cargill St home near a smashed window about 4pm.

Yesterday, forensic experts were still examining the scene and detectives were interviewing family members and neighbours.

Police also spoke to residents in Mattalie Place, Manurewa, where Ms Kingston's former partner, Cary Thurgood, lives.

His children with Ms Kingston - Christiana, 8, Stephanie, 14, Ross, 16, and Matthew, 19 - often stay with him there.

A post-mortem examination revealed Ms Kingston died as a result of a violent attack.

Neighbours reported hearing noises and the sound of glass breaking in the house about 12.45pm on Monday.

Yesterday, Linda Hovell - a sister of Mr Thurgood who has travelled from Christchurch - said: "I spoke to the kids last night and they said they wanted to see their Dad."

She wanted to see her nieces and nephews, but said Ms Kingston's family would not allow it.

Ms Hovell was determined to go to the funeral, but did not know when it would be held.

"I don't care if they don't let me. I'm turning up, because that is my brother's children.

"All we are asking for, if anything, is to let us be part of it."

Ms Hovell said her brother arranged with Ms Kingston to pick up the oldest three children from their schools on Monday.

Their mother was to pick up Christiana from Papakura Normal School.

But Mr Thurgood decided to meet Ms Kingston at the school and collect his youngest himself.

He arrived to find Christiana waiting and no sign of her mother.

Ms Hovell said Mr Thurgood drove straight to Cargill St and was stopped by a police officer at a cordon. He willingly went to the station, not knowing Ms Kingston was dead, Ms Hovell said.

Mr Gutry said 20 officers were working on the investigation.