1 Nov 2009

Woman found dead in Benneydale

5:05 pm on 1 November 2009

A homicide inquiry has been launched after a woman was found dead at a house in the Waikato settlement of Benneydale.

Police say Wini Miria Te Maia McLean, 20, was at a party on Friday night, but was found dead by emergency services just before 5.30am on Saturday.

The woman lived and worked in Benneydale, east of Te Kuiti, and has some immediate family and whanau there.

Police spent Sunday interviewing witnesses and say they are keen to speak to partygoers, or anyone who saw her on Friday night.

They say a man who was known to the woman is assisting them with their inquiries.

The house where she was found is under police guard, while scientific staff were travelling from Auckland to help with the investigation.

A post-mortem will be carried out on Sunday.