KEY POINTS:
Police launched a homicide inquiry after the body of a young woman and her estranged partner were discovered at a Whangarei home.
The dead were named as Reipae Joanne Dobson, 19, and Eldorado Waerehu, 20, both of Whangarei. Ms Dobson was believed to have had a child. Police were called to the address in Fourth Ave, Woodhill, shortly after 10am on Sunday.
An ambulance was dispatched but they both died before it arrived.
Detective Sergeant Marty Ruth of Whangarei police said Ms Dobson and Mr Waerehu were estranged.
Mr Ruth did not comment on how they died or the nature of their injuries, but described the scene inside the house as "particularly gruesome".
Mr Ruth confirmed that police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths and said the matter would be referred to the coroner once the police investigation was completed.
There were emotional scenes as loved ones arrived at the property on Sunday and comforted each other before victim support workers arrived.
Mr Ruth said an autopsy was scheduled to be conducted on the bodies in Auckland yesterday.
About 15 police were involved in the investigation and that number was expected to increase.
An elderly woman living next door was assisted by victim support and police said she was too distressed to talk when approached for comment.
Neighbour Louis Murray described the young woman as a very well mannered and polite person. He had known her for about eight years.
"I only really knew her as a neighbour but she would always say hello when you saw her.
"She was a very good, bright young girl," Mr Murray said.
It is understood that the dead woman was a mother to a young baby.
A teddy bear lay in the doorway of the property and an empty pushchair sat outside behind the police cordon.
The incident brings the number of homicide inquiries in Northland over the last 12 months to six.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
