Woman assaulted in her home dies

A young mother died today after she was viciously assaulted at her home at the weekend triggering a homicide inquiry.


Moana Kapua, a mother of six, was admitted to the critical care unit at the Auckland Hospital after relatives found her unconscious in her Arthur St home about 10am on Saturday.


Detective Sergeant Karl Thornton of Tokoroa police said they had been centring their enquiries around the Trees Tavern in Tokoroa, where Ms Kapua was socialising with friends and family on Thursday night and early Friday morning.


Mr Thornton said that before the assault Ms Kapua was seen hitchhiking on State Highway 1 about 2.30am on Friday. She made it home safely between 3am and 3.30 am after being picked up by a taxi.


Police want to speak with anyone who was at the Trees Tavern between Thursday night and Friday afternoon, Mr Thornton said.- NZPA