Auckland homicide: Harrowing scenes as family arrive at Avondale house where woman’s body found

Distraught family members of a woman whose body was found in an Auckland house overnight have arrived at the property, as police officers investigate the homicide.

There were emotional scenes as a group of people arrived at the Holly St property, in the suburb of Avondale, about 10.30am.

A witness said: “There were five of them and they walked down the driveway to talk to police.

“Then one of them, a woman, just broke down. She needed to be held up by the others. She was just sobbing.”

Police were called to the house just after 1.30am and found a dead woman inside, Senior Sergeant Scott Armstrong said earlier.

Police were called to the property in the early hours of this morning. Photo / Hayden Woodward

A 35-year-old man has since been charged with murder and has been remanded in custody. He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday.

Officers are not seeking anyone else in relation to the death, Armstrong said.

Residents and locals are being told to expect a high police presence in the area over the next few days, as a scene examination is carried out today and tomorrow.

More than a dozen police and emergency services-type vehicles remain on the street early this afternoon.

Residents are in shock after learning that someone has been killed in their neighbourhood.

One person told the Weekend Herald that although he did not know what had happened or know the neighbours involved, he felt unsafe.

Others said police officers had knocked on their doors to ask and take statements.