Police encouraged by new murder information

A door-knocking exercise into the brutal murder of Marton pensioner Mona Morriss murder has produced positive results, police said today.

Investigation head Detective Sergeant Tim Smith said about 60 police cadets door-knocked in the 6000-resident Rangitikei town during the weekend and results were surprisingly encouraging.

"I'm amazed with the new information that has come in...there are at least 100 people out there who have provided new information that we now have to make further enquiries about," Mr Smith told National Radio this morning.

Uncovered during door-knocking was a knife which police say was found and handed in by a resident.

Mr Smith admitted the late handing in of the knife was a bit frustrating considering the publicity over the past six weeks encouraging people to come forward.

But the latest exercise showed police could not always rely on the public to make the first move, and door-knocking could be effective as people were sometimes more comfortable speaking out in their own homes.

The knife would now go through an examination process, Mr Smith said.

"I'm certain that we have got more of a focus on the investigation now and I'm sure we are going to get some positive results at the end of it."

Mrs Morriss, 83, was found dead with stab-wounds in her flat by her family on January 5.

Mr Smith said now the holiday period was over and many Marton residents had returned home, the town appeared to have returned to normal after the initial shock of the murder.

- NZPA