Police at the scene of the Taraire Street property they are searching as part of a homicide investigation.
Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Police have executed a search warrant on the same Kaikohe street where a woman died following a home invasion last week.
Linda Woods, 71, died on the night of 1 June after being injured during a struggle when a person broke into her Taraire Street property.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston of the Northland CIB said the homicide investigation was continuing to progress.
“Police are this morning executing a search warrant at an address in Taraire Street, Kaikohe in relation to the ongoing investigation.
“Police are currently speaking with a person of interest.
“We recognise the public’s interest in this case and we will continue to provide updates on any developments.”
Police at the scene of the search warrant.
Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
A RNZ reporter at the scene said at least four officers were guarding the cordoned house and officers can be seenrummaging through rubbish bins on the property.
The house was about five properties away from Woods’ home.
Earlier, Johnston said police would be going door-to-door asking for information to help find a match for DNA found at the scene.
Police on Monday said they had found DNA they believed to be linked to the person who broke into a house in Kaikohe where an elderly woman later died.
Police have previously described it as a sexually motivated burglary, and released images of clothing as well as a screenshot from a video of the suspect who is said to have fled barefoot.
The home is not far from the property of Linda Woods.
Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
They are hoping a DNA sample taken from a pair of cut-off jean shorts and trainers left behind will lead to a breakthrough in the case.
Johnston said it did not match anyone in the national database, but such profiles contain genetic information that can help police prioritise who they seek DNA from.
“Now we need to find someone in the community that matchest that DNA profile,” he told Morning Report.
“They can certainly come forward voluntarily and we’d absolutely encourage that.”
The property at the centre of a homicide investigation on Taraire Street, Kaikohe. File photo
Photo: Emma Stanford / RNZ
However police were asking for information from the community to help identify the person.
“There’s a lot of information that could help identify the person out there – pictures of the clothing, the great description and the video still that was taken by the occupants on the night.
Police would try to get voluntary DNA samples to eliminate or include people in the inquiry, he said.
“There are means of compelling someone to give a DNA sample but we’re a long way from that at this stage.”
It was “most likely” to be someone local since the person left on foot, but officers would “cover all bases” with inquiries including CCTV and vehicles, he said.
Samples were sent to the ESR in Auckland for processing, and scientists had come in over the weekend to work urgently on the samples sent to them, police said.
