Harrowing footage of the moment India Chipchase's body discovered

India Chipchase with boyfriend Evaan Reihana, son of former All Black Bruce Reihana. Photo / Facebook

Jurors have been shown harrowing footage of the moment police discovered India Chipchase's lifeless body in the home of her accused killer.

The 20-year-old was found dead on a mattress in a home in Northampton in the UK on January 31.

Chipchase was the girlfriend of Kiwi rugby player Evaan Reihana, whose father Bruce Reihana played two tests for the All Blacks in 2000.

Edward Tenniswood, 52, is on trial in the Birmingham Crown Court accused of her rape and murder.

The jury has been shown police body-cam footage of the moment Chipchase's body was found in Tenniswood's home, the Sun reported.

Her hair was arranged around her head like a "halo".

Police Constable Steven Knight can be heard talking to her lifeless body in the footage. As he leans over her, he asks: "Sweetheart, can you wake up?"

As he realises she's dead, Knight can be heard cursing and saying "she's gone", the Sun reported.

Giving evidence in court overnight NZT, Knight described entering the front bedroom of Tenniswood's house.

"As I got to the doorway I could see a mattress in front of me with a blanket on the top of it and items around the edge of the room."

The Sun reported Knight saying he initially mistook Chipchase's hair for fur.

"As I got closer I could see the hair was displayed, instead of being down it was pulled up and around. Sort of like a halo," Knight said.

"I took the left-hand side corner of the blanket off and pulled it over so I could see the face and pulled it, probably down to the shoulder."

The trial continues.