Sexual violation ruled out in Marton pensioner's death

Police have ruled out sexual violation in an attack which killed an 83-year-old woman in Marton in January.

Mona Morriss was stabbed to death in her pensioner flat on January 3 or 4.

She died of multiple stab wounds after a brutal attack and police had previously said there was evidence of a sexual element to the killing.

"There is still a sexual aspect to the crime scene that police need to consider, but this is likely only to be determined when the killer is caught, and the person's motivation or actions explained," Detective Sergeant Tim Smith said in a statement today.

Mrs Morriss' body was found by a family member on January 5.

Mr Smith said he was also confident Mrs Morriss was murdered on the evening of January 3.

"She was last seen alive at approximately 5pm, and we believe the murder occurred between 5pm and 9pm," he said

- NZPA