Young mum killed in double slaying

Police yesterday launched a double-homicide inquiry after the body of a young woman and her estranged partner were discovered at a Whangarei home.
One of the victims was a 19-year-old woman who was the mother of a baby.
Police were called to the address in Fourth Ave, Woodhill shortly after 10am yesterday.
An ambulance was dispatched but the man and woman had died before it arrived.
Detective Sergeant Marty Ruth of Whangarei police said the woman and the 20-year-old man were an estranged couple.
Their names have not yet been released.
Mr Ruth would not comment on how the two died or the nature of their injuries.
He described the scene inside the house as "particularly gruesome".
Mr Ruth confirmed that police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths and said the matter would be referred to the coroner once the police investigation was completed.
There were emotional scenes yesterday morning as loved ones arrived at the property after learning of the two deaths.
Relatives comforted each other outside the house for much of yesterday before victim support workers arrived.
Detectives and a police photographer arrived at the scene about 1.30pm to start a scene investigation.
Mr Ruth said both bodies were removed last night and an autopsy would be carried out in Auckland today.
About 15 police were involved in the investigation yesterday and that number was expected to increase today.
An elderly woman living next door was assisted by victim support and police said she was too distressed to talk when approached for comment.
Neighbour Louis Murray described the young woman as a very well mannered and polite person. He had known her for about eight years.
"I only really knew her as a neighbour but she would always say hello when you saw her. She was a very good bright young girl," Mr Murray said.
It's understood the dead woman was a mother to a young baby.
A teddy bear lay in the doorway of the property and an empty pushchair sat outside behind the police cordon.
Mr Murray said he did not know the other man but it's understood he was known to police.
He arrived home after the incident and said he was "obviously shocked" by what had happened in his own street.
Yesterday's incident brings the number of homicide inquiries in Northland over the last 12 months to six.
• In August, 17-year-old Mairina Dunn was allegedly murdered at an Otangarei address.
• In July, 19-year-old Anaru Tamihana died in a fight in central Whangarei.
• In June, a 22-year-old Arihia Te Rautau Faulkner died in a house fire in Akerama Rd, south of Kawakawa.
• In December, 41-year-old Stanley Wells died from head injuries sustained after he was attacked while walking through Otangarei.
• On Christmas Day last year, Lance Murray Hughes, 39, was shot dead in a domestic incident.