Police have released photos of clothing belonging to the person responsible for the death of a 71-year-old woman during a home invasion in Kaikohe.
A homicide investigation was launched following reports of an intruder at a home on Taraire St at 11.41pm on Thursday.
The victim, pensioner Linda Woods, shared the home with four generations of her whānau, all of whom are female.
She was “attempting to intervene to assist her family members who were also inside the property at the time”, police said previously.
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On Saturday, Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston of the Northland Criminal Investigation Branch said police were working with urgency to gather information.
“We continue to support her family as we work to get answers for them, and to hold the offender to account.”
NZ Police/Supplied
The man left behind his US size 13 New Balance sneakers.
“We extend our sincere sympathies to Linda’s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”
Police also released photos of the offender’s clothing, which were left behind at the victim’s home.
This included a pair of US size 13, dark grey and back New Balance Versi Comfort sneakers and a pair of grey or faded black cut-off jean shorts.
The offender is described by police as a Māori or Polynesian man of solid build, aged between 40 and 60 years old with dark-coloured, speckled with grey and possibly curly hair.
On Friday, police said the offender was seen running away barefoot and left behind some clothing and a pair of shoes. These items were undergoing forensic testing.
NZ Police/Supplied
The offender lost his shorts during a struggle with the house’s occupants.
Police expect to release information about the items left at the property on Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with information “no matter how small” is urged to speak with police by phoning 105, quoting reference number 230602/1746.
Another occupant of the home received serious injuries during a struggle with the intruder.
Despite efforts by emergency services, Woods died at the scene.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
Police cordon a property on Taraire St in Kaikohe, where Linda Woods, 71, died during a home invasion.
Neighbours told Stuff Woods, a dialysis patient, “wouldn’t hurt anyone”.
She had lived in the Kaikohe home for many years and “everybody loved her”.
Johnston previously said Woods’ whānau were absolutely devastated over her death and coming to terms with the sense of violation of someone entering their home.
“Our team’s priority is to locate the person responsible, and the community can be reassured we are treating this incident extremely seriously.”
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, who lives in Kaikohe, said anything like this in the community was “terrible”.
“Our community is extremely tight-knit, we’re all close. Our community will be feeling it, and I’m sending love and aroha.
“I know we will come together and just want to remind everyone to be vigilant.”
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
