Police appeal for final sightings of dead woman

Allison McPhee, 42, was found dead in a Wellington flat on Wednesday. Photo / NZPA

Police are appealing for sightings of Wellington woman Allison McPhee in the days before she died.

Last week they launched a homicide investigation after the 42-year-old woman's body was found at the Newtown Park Flats on Mansfield St, in suburban Newtown, shortly after 3pm on Wednesday.

Acting Detective Inspector Scott Miller said a preliminary post mortem examination result indicated she was the victim of a violent attack in which a weapon was probably used and had been dead between three to five days.

Mr Miller said an argument had been overheard in the flat between 5pm and 6pm last Sunday, but it was not yet clear whether this had escalated to violence.

He said Ms McPhee, who was unemployed, was known to police, and had lived a fairly transient lifestyle.

Ms McPhee was last seen on July 22, when she left her home between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, possibly with a male, Mr Miller said today.

She was believed to have walked down Mansfield Street to the New World supermarket on Riddiford Street, where she had purchased a cask of wine before returning home alone.

Police appealed for anyone who may have seen her that night to come forward, and they also sought descriptions of the man she was with.

Ms McPhee was 1.6 metres tall, of large build, with strawberry blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing 3/4 length blue jeans, white sneakers and a blue fleece top.

Mr Miller said the last sightings of her were crucial to help police piece together the events leading to her death.

A neighbour told the Dominion Post he heard banging and death threats coming from Ms McPhee's flat last Sunday.

He said he jumped out of bed after hearing someone yelling "I'll kill you b...." but all was quiet by the time he got dressed and reached the door.

He said he felt annoyed with himself that he did not go to make sure she was okay.

"Maybe it would have made a difference."

- NZPA