Woman found in parked car died of head injury

Police conducting a scene examination in the carpark of The Warehouse in New Lynn, Auckland, today. Picture / Fotopress

A woman whose body lay undiscovered in a busy shopping car park for 24 hours died from a head injury, police have revealed.

The body of the 54-year-old Chinese woman, who lives in New Zealand, was discovered in the car early on Sunday morning by a security guard.

It was parked at the Warehouse store off Rata St in New Lynn, Auckland.

Police said a homicide inquiry was now underway. They are appealing to anyone who saw the car in the car park to contact them.

The body could have been seen by anyone who went past the car - a gold Mitsubishi Eterna, registration AFS 413 - yesterday.

Parts of New Lynn were cordoned off this morning as police carried out a scene examination. The death was declared suspicious by police following completion of a post mortem.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Sutton said: "This is a busy shopping complex and some people must have seen the car. There was a body visible to anyone passing by the car."

Police are conducting area inquiries with businesses and homes in the area. A forensic examination of the vehicle is being completed and the Police Specialist Search Group has been called to do a search of the car park.

Anyone shopping in the complex on Saturday who may have seen the vehicle in the car park should contact Henderson Police on 09 839 0664.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF