Woman may have disturbed killer

An elderly woman found dead in her Christchurch home yesterday may have disturbed a burglar who killed her.

Police said today the woman, who lived alone, had yet to be formally identified and the exact cause of her death had yet to be established but they were probably looking at a robbery which had gone wrong.

The woman's body was found at her home in the Christchurch suburb of Huntsbury in the Cashmere Hills yesterday and acting Inspector Dave Long said she may have been dead for up to 48 hours.

Mr Long would not discuss her injuries or if police had a weapon but said there was no doubt they were dealing with a homicide.

"Something has led to the person's death and it is not natural."

He said items were missing from the woman's home.

"It is suggesting to us the death is related to a burglary of the property."

A Mazda car which was missing from the woman's house was found about two kilometres away after police were called by a member of the public. It was being examined by forensic scientists.

Mr Long said it appeared probable the dead woman may have disturbed burglars who then attacked her and fled in her car.

He declined to say whether there were signs she had tried to fight off her attackers.

He also said it was too early to say how many people may have been involved in the woman's death.

Anyone who had information about the attack or who saw anything suspicious around Aotea Terrace in Huntsbury or in nearby Riverlaw Terrace where the car was found today was urged to contact Christchurch police.

"That's anytime since Thursday through to when a member of the public reported it in Riverlaw Terrace."

The car was a silver Mazda Lantis hatchback, registration WL7343.

Mr Long said police were also "particularly interested" in any unreported incidents of thefts, burglaries or other suspicious activities over recent weeks in the Huntsbury Hill area.

- NZPA