Manurewa stabbing victim named

A woman who was stabbed to death at a south Auckland party early yesterday has been named by police.

She was 28-year-old Preva Shortland.

A 32-year-old woman was arrested near the address yesterday and charged with common assault.

The woman, who has name suppression, made a brief appearance in Manukau District Court today and was remanded in custody to reappear in three weeks on August 4.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry told NZPA today inquiries were continuing and more serious charges could follow.

An autopsy carried out on Ms Shortland's body today confirmed she died of stab wounds.

"Today we had the post mortem results and carried on with the scene examination and spoke to witnesses," Mr Gutry said.

"The knife has not been found and we are still looking for that.

"The inquiries are going pretty well at this stage and neighbours have been very helpful."

Mr Gutry said police would continue their scene examination over the next few days.

A homicide investigation was launched after police were called to an altercation at a house in Glenveagh Park Drive, Manurewa, shortly after midnight and found the woman's body.

Ms Shortland did not live at the house, Mr Gutry said.

Police said they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the death but a number of partygoers were helping with their inquiries.

It is understood that eight children, including two teenagers, were taken from the house by Child, Youth and Family staff.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said there were often loud parties at the house.

She told The New Zealand Herald she heard a woman screaming "I didn't do it" and "I wasn't dating you anyway".

"You always hear them smashing things. Every time they have a party, you know they're going to end up fighting. There is lots of swearing. You can hardly understand it most of the time; it's just swearing," she said.

- NZPA