Police continue to seek the man who fled barefoot at about 11:30pm on Thursday after breaking into the Taraire Street property.
Photo: Emma Stanford / RNZ

A cellphone video that was taken during the fatal attack of a Northland woman has been revealed as another key piece of evidence.

Linda Woods, 71, died at her Kaikohe home after a man entered her home on Thursday night, prompting a homicide investigation.

Police continue to seek the man who fled barefoot at about 11:30pm after breaking into the Taraire Street property.

A spokesperson said police were aware of a cellphone video taken inside the home which was being investigated.

According to Stuff, the video shows a young woman trying to defend an elderly woman, who is lying on the ground.

Other items were found at the property in the aftermath including a pair of shoes and some cut-off jean shorts.

Police released images of these items to the public on Saturday.

Police released these images of items left at the scene of a homicide in Kaikohe on Thursday night.
Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

“We hope these details will jog someone’s memory from the night Linda died, or encourage those who know the offender to come forward,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, Northland CIB said in a statement.

A pair of shoes were located on the ground outside the property. They are size US13 New Balance Versi Comfort Ride sneakers, colour dark grey and black.

Police said during the struggle at the home the offender’s shorts also came off and were left behind.

They do not have identifiable make or size details, but they are grey/faded black cut-off jean shorts, with a button fly made up of black buttons that include a “B” shaped logo.

Police have described the suspect as male, Māori or Polynesian, aged somewhere between 40-60 years old, and is solidly built.

He has dark-coloured short hair speckled with grey, possibly, curly.

Along with the shorts, he was wearing a dark-coloured basketball-style singlet, with thin red and white piping around the sleeves and collar. He was wearing another short-sleeved top under the singlet.

“We have every confidence that someone in our Kaikohe community knows this man,” Johnston said.

“We are urging you to do the right thing and come forward to us.”

The public can get in touch with police by calling 105 and quoting file number 230602/1746.

Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.