The death of a 77-year-old Auckland woman has been upgraded to a homicide investigation.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
She was Maria Brown of Onehunga.
A previous statement incorrectly stated she was 65, police said in a statement this afternoon.
Her body was found in her Onehunga home by a family member on Sunday morning after they couldn't get hold of her by phone.
Police initially referred to the death as unexplained but say after a post-mortem examination they are now treating it as a homicide.
Her home remains under guard.
Detective inspector Scott Beard said officers were following good lines of inquiry and he wanted to reassure the community it was an isolated incident.
Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry is asked to contact police on 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.