Neighbours tell of screaming before death

The house where the man died was still blocked off yesterday. Photo / Christine Cornege

Neighbours heard screaming and crashing before a man died at a house on the Hibiscus Coast.

Police have launched a homicide investigation into Sunday afternoon's death in Milton Rd, Orewa.

A 43-year-old woman appeared in the North Shore District Court yesterday charged with assault.

The post-mortem examination of the man is expected to be completed today.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Burke of Orewa said the man and woman were in a relationship and police were not looking for anyone else.

Yesterday, forensic experts and detectives combed the single-storey house.

A blue police tent was stationed on the front verge and emergency tape blocked off the gravel driveway that led to more accommodation.

Neighbours were alarmed by the death in their quiet street. One woman, who preferred not to be named, saw a woman come out of the house holding her forehead. St John staff then appeared to examine her, checking her head and stomach.

On the other side of the road, Elaine Dennis also saw the woman emerge from the house. "One of the ambulance drivers was looking at her head and then I saw them look down [to her stomach]," she said.

Next door to the house, a mother pulled her child inside when she heard "fighting, crashing and banging".

Mr Burke said police had spoken to a number of people in the area and would continue their inquiries.