Murdered woman in massage business

Xiukin Feng, also known as Nancy Peterson, ran a massage parlour near the carpark where she was found dead in the back seat of her husband’s car with a head wound.

An Auckland woman found dead in a busy New Lynn carpark ran a massage parlour less than a kilometre away.

Chinese-born Xiukin Feng, also known as Nancy Peterson, was found in a car with a fatal head wound by a security guard patrolling The Warehouse carpark early on Sunday.

She is believed to have been in the car, registered to her husband, for up to 22 hours and was slumped by the window in the back seat.

Yesterday, police revealed that the 54-year-old was involved in the management of a massage parlour and inquiries had begun to see if her job was connected with her death.

Staff at three of New Lynn's four central massage parlours told the Herald that Nancy Peterson did not work at their establishments.

The fourth parlour, Night Pearl in Great North Rd, was closed.

A man working at a nearby company said the parlour was normally open on a Monday.

He also noticed a smashed window at the rear - damage that was not there last week.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Sutton said Nancy Peterson's job was only one avenue police were investigating.

Twenty-five officers are taking part in the homicide inquiry, which yesterday focused on bags of rubbish at a refuse centre near Lincoln Rd.

Police officers are believed to have been looking for several of the dead woman's possessions, including a red handbag, gold and black watch and Samsung fliptop E700 cellphone.

Mr Sutton said police would like to hear from anyone with information about the missing items or what happened to Nancy Peterson after she went to work on Friday.

Chinese-speaking interpreters are available to help with translation.

A close relative said Nancy Peterson had been involved with the massage parlour for several months.

She did not know if her job played a role in her death but appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

She said the dead woman's husband of six years was "holding up as well as can be expected".

She said she last saw Nancy Peterson on Friday morning and she seemed her "usual self".

What happened

* Xiukin Feng (Nancy Peterson) last seen by family on Friday morning.

* Found dead in her husband's car in the carpark of The Warehouse in New Lynn early on Sunday.

* The Grey/Gold Mitsubishi Eterna had been parked in the Rata St carpark since Saturday morning.

* Police are searching for a missing red handbag, Rado watch, Samsung E700 cellphone and distinctive cat-face keyring.