KEY POINTS:
Police in Dunedin tonight unsuccessfully searched several houses for a man considered armed and dangerous after a woman was slain in the city early today.
Vicki Jane Telfer, 25, was found dead with serious stab wounds at a house in the suburb of Caversham at about 2am.
A sister of Ms Telfer's was at the house and escaped with cuts on her hands before raising the alarm. Witnesses said Ms Telfer had a toddler daughter.
Police named the man they were seeking as Shiloh Rickards, also known as Matthew Te Anini, a 46-year-old Maori, last seen wearing a brown beanie, brown coat over a bare chest, blue jeans and black lace-up boots.
He was also last seen carrying a yellow handled butcher's knife.
Rickards has tattoos on his arms and forehead, lettering on his neck and a star on his right cheek.
Detective Inspector Ross Pinkham tonight said police had visited several houses occupied by people they believe to be associated with Rickards but had not found him.
Mr Pinkham warned Rickards was armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Armed police were keeping watch on the Caversham house and forensics experts had been there examining the scene.
- NZPA
