Murder of NZ nurse planned, say police

Michelle Beets studied at Epsom Girls Grammar and worked at Green Lane and Middlemore before going overseas. Photo / Supplied

Sydney police now believe the murder of New Zealand-born nurse Michelle Beets as she arrived home last week was planned and that robbery was not the motive.

Ms Beets suffered multiple stab wounds to her chest, throat, and head after being set upon as she tried to enter her Chatswood house on Tuesday evening.

Power was cut at a junction box near the front door shortly before 6.20pm, immobilising the outdoor sensor light system and causing loss of power to the house alarm, Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper reported.

Detectives confirmed they were now checking the personnel records at the Royal North Shore Hospital where Ms Beets was a nurse-manager, after being told a staffer there was sacked after Ms Beets reported the theft of drugs.

A large turnout is expected at her funeral on Friday.

Her older brother, Marty Beets, said he would fly from New Zealand to Sydney this week, to be joined by sister Robyn from the Gold Coast and another sister, Yvonne, from Britain.

Ms Beets' 87-year-old father would also travel from the Sunshine Coast for the funeral, he said.

- NZPA