Police investigating the murder of Napier woman Chattrice Maihi-Carroll were going door-to-door today in search of the elusive blood-splattered cyclist spotted near her house.
The body of the 46-year-old mother-of-four was found in her Cottrell Crescent home in suburban Onekawa on January 21.
She lived
alone, was stabbed many times, and may also have been sexually assaulted.
A man came forward late last week saying he had spotted the cyclist, his chest and face covered in blood, on the morning Ms Maihi-Carroll was discovered.
He told police he did not think anything of it at the time, but after thinking it over decided to contact police.
Police had been keen for further sightings to corroborate the story and released details of the cyclist to the media.
Investigation head Detective Inspector Sam Aberahama said today he had been "very buoyed" by the response he had received.
"We have had phone calls and people coming into the station.
"We're satisfied that this person exists and is out there. We are mindful there are people in the community who don't buy the newspaper and don't listen to the radio and may live in the area so we are planning to go door-to-door today.
"We want to ensure we locate this person and eliminate (as a suspect) or otherwise."
The cyclist was described as Caucasian, 20-30-years-old, short, fat build, with pale skin and long gingery-blonde hair that was sticking out from under his bike helmet.
He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, open to the middle of his chest.
Police are also still seeking information on a dark green Toyota Estima people-mover seen parked at the top of the driveway next to Ms Maihi-Carroll's flat on the night of Sunday, January 20.
- NZPA
