In a potential breakthrough, police are "aware" of video footage taken inside the home of an elderly Northland woman who was killed on Thursday night.
Kaikohe resident Linda Woods, 71, was killed during a struggle with the intruder at around 11:30pm on Thursday night. Despite efforts from emergency services to revive her, she died at the scene.
It's reported by NZ Herald, Woods was killed by the home intruder who ripped out her breathing tubes while she tried to defend herself.
"He ripped out... those tubes up her nose, the breathing ones," Woods' niece Shianne Maaka told the NZ Herald. "He was beating her up. She took a lot, you know, she took quite a bit of a beating."
It's now been revealed by Stuff, part of the attack was caught on a short video. The footage reportedly shows a young woman trying to defend an elderly woman - who is lying on the ground.
Police told the Newshub they are aware of the video but are unable to comment further as it formed part of their investigation.
It comes after Police launched a homicide investigation and are seeking a man who fled the Taraire Street address on foot, leaving behind some shoes and clothing.
Police released a description of the offender on Saturday. He's described as male, Māori or Polynesian, aged between 40 and 60 years old, and solidly built. He has dark-coloured short hair speckled with grey, possibly, curly.
Police also released images of items left at the scene including size US13 New Balance sneakers and faded black cut-off jean shorts, with a fly made up of buttons that include a 'B' shaped logo.
"We have every confidence that someone in our Kaikohe community knows this man. We are urging you to do the right thing and come forward to us," said Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston from the Northland CIB.
"Additionally, if you saw this man around the time of the incident and have any information about him or his movements, please also get in touch."
You can do so by calling 105 and quoting file number 230602/1746. Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
The circumstances of her death have triggered anger in the tight-knit Far North community.
Woods was remembered with flowers at the site of her home on Saturday. Karla Tawhai knew Woods. She's been preparing flowers for her whānau at her Bouquets on Broadway shop on the Kaikohe strip.
"She's a very bubbly lady, she was a business owner in town," Tawhai said. "It's just really heartbreaking."
She said the family is grieving and still very much in shock.
"I spoke to her granddaughter yesterday... I think I was more upset than she was, but I think she's in a lot of shock, you know? And they probably will be."
Hearing how she died defending her whānau lies heavy on the minds of locals.
"Hearing about that, so close to home it breaks a lot of these families' hearts," one person said.
"It's pretty ratshit alright!" another exclaimed.
And there are fears that some will take justice into their own hands.
"It's better for the guy to hand himself in, aye cos I kind of think that if he doesn't, we're gonna find him, and no matter what gang it is, we wanna find him. What happened to an old kuia like that, that's not cool man," Kaikohe resident Piripi Whare said.
