Murdered woman died 'highly unusual death', police say

Katrina Jefferies died a highly unusual death before she was dumped in an Auckland reserve earlier this month, police have said.

They said today they knew how the 22-year-old solo mum was murdered after she disappeared from her home on July 10 but would not give details although they said they were not looking for a weapon.

"We haven't got a weapon, there was no weapon used," said Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley from the Avondale police

He said the cause of death was highly unusual, and refused to comment on whether she was strangled.

"It goes with the rest of the scenario involving the murder of Katrina Jefferies. Everything is not as it seems," Mr Whitley said but he would not give further details.

Ms Jefferies was last seen about 8pm on Sunday night, July 10, when she left the suburban home she shared with her mother and 20-month old son.

Her body was found in the Waikowhai Park in the Auckland suburb of Hillsborough where it had probably been dumped on Monday night, the night after she disappeared.

It was not discovered until the next day.

Mr Whitley said it did not appear she had been sexually assaulted although that had yet to be confirmed by forensic tests.

She was not involved in drug deals but had a lot of friends and a good social life. Nor did she have a lot of money.

"There is nothing in what we have seen that would point to her having any enemies or creating a situation where someone would want to kill her."

Mr Whitley said the father of her child had had nothing to do with her.

"It is a complete mystery what happened to her between when she walked out and when she was found."

He said pathologists could not say exactly when she died.

He said the case may be solved with public help and anyone with information could call police on 0800 924 569.

Mr Whitley said they would consider an immunity for anyone providing information who was not the killer.

"I have got no doubt someone other than the killer or killers knows what has occurred.

"Another avenue of our inquiry is for that person or those persons to come to us and tell us," he said.

- NZPA