Murder charge follows 'death wail'

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An 18-year-old man will appear in court this morning charged with murder after the body of a woman and a bloodstained knife were found in a suburban Auckland house yesterday.

Police were called to the house in Eban Ave, Hillcrest, on the North Shore about 7.15am after neighbours reported hearing screaming and a woman making a "death wail" noise.

The body of a young European woman was found in the house, with the knife. The 18-year-old man was at the property when police arrived and was taken into custody soon after.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby would not say how the woman died or where in the house she was found.

But he confirmed the accused was known to the dead woman.

"He did know her, but they weren't in a relationship though. The family, everyone's pretty upset," Mr Libby said.

"I can't say any more, someone's appearing in court."

The young man was interviewed by police yesterday and then charged with murder. He is due to appear in the North Shore District Court this morning.

Mr Libby would not give any more information about the victim, including her age, because relatives were still being told of her death.

He said her immediate family had been informed. Her father, who had been overseas, was rushing home via Australia last night.

A post-mortem examination would be made today.

Police spent most of yesterday at the house, which remained cordoned off, and speaking to neighbours.

People on the street who knew the family were reluctant to comment but sounded upset about the incident in their usually quiet neighbourhood.

Niklas Livock lives across the road and said moaning was heard just after 7am.

"Mum and dad came outside to go to work and heard it - dad called it a 'death wail'. It was a woman," he said.

Police said the house would remain cordoned off until at least today.

- additional reporting: APNZ