Police hope distinctive red tarpaulin will flush out leads to mother's killer

This print, depicting a river and mountain scene, was found with Katrina Jefferies' body.

Murdered Auckland mother Katrina Jefferies was found wrapped in a distinctive red tarpaulin, a yellow raincoat and a black plastic bag, police have revealed, more than six weeks after her death.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley publicised these details of the murder scene yesterday because police have hit a wall with the people they are interviewing and need public help.

The tarpaulin is considered distinctive because of its colour - the most commonly available tarpaulins are blue. The parka is of the Stormwear brand.

These items and the plastic bag were used to try to hide Ms Jefferies from view down the bush-clad, roadside bank at Waikowhai Park, where a passerby found her on July 12.

The site where the 22-year-old was found semi-naked nearly 36 hours after she had disappeared is known as an illegal rubbish dumping spot.

It is less than 1km from the flat she shared with her toddler son, her mother and her younger brother.

A framed print depicting a river and mountain scene, and a tatty piece of plywood, were also found with her body. It is not known if the print and the wood were put there by the killer or dumped independently. The picture is signed Haver, a name not known to Auckland Art Gallery experts, and it is considered worthless.

Mr Whitley said police had spoken to many of Ms Jefferies' friends and associates and were unable to eliminate some from the inquiry. Some were lying.

Police were asking the public about the five items because their own inquiries had not answered questions about them, and forensic testing had prevented their being displayed earlier.

"People might have had those items stolen or borrowed and not given back. They might just realise those items are not with [them] any more."

The objects might hold the key to finding Ms Jefferies' killer, said Mr Whitley.

* People with information about the items are asked to phone police on 0800-924-569.