Police identify woman's body

Police at the scene where the body of a woman was discovered on Mt Victoria yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The family of a 38-year-old woman whose body was found on a popular Wellington running track are struggling to come to grips with the death, police say.

A group of joggers discovered the woman's body a short distance from a main running track in Alexandra Park, Mt Victoria, at the southern end of the town belt about 11am yesterday.

Police have formally identified the woman but are refusing to release her name before all next of kin have been informed.

Investigation head Detective Inspector Paul Basham said immediate family were still grappling with news of the death.

"Understandably, they are still struggling to come to grips with what has happened, and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."

Mr Basham said a post-mortem examination was still being carried out on the body.

Investigators were carrying out a scene investigation on Mt Victoria and interviewing people who had come forward with information, he said.

"At this early stage we are still treating the death as 'unexplained' and are keeping an open mind to a number of possible scenarios."

A 25-year-old man arrested in the area yesterday for obstruction had been spoken to and released, Mr Basham said.

Mr Basham appealed for information from anyone who was near Alexandra Park or the Mt Victoria town belt around 11am yesterday.