Officers arrived at the house on Moana Ave to find Maggie dead. Sen was taken away for treatment for what have been described as "superficial injuries". She remains in care.
The mystery of Maggie's death deepened yesterday as police said they were ordering more tests after initial post-mortem examination results failed to shed light on the tragedy. Those results are due on Tuesday. Police also said they had still not been able to contact the girl's father, thought to be in the UK.
Gilmour said Sen's father was devastated but couldn't afford to come to New Zealand. He had asked police to release his granddaughter's body to a funeral parlour of Gilmour's choice. "I need to see Evelyn so I can ask her what she wants for her daughter's funeral," he said.
Gilmour said he had no idea what happened to Maggie and wouldn't speculate until he had spoken to Sen.
"I am hoping to see her soon and then I will have a better idea about how she was injured and what happened to Maggie. She loved her daughter so much, I know she wouldn't bring any harm to her."
Friends visited the house yesterday, leaving flowers for the dead girl.
One woman, who lived with Sen and Maggie at an Auckland women's refuge in 2013, said Evelyn adored her daughter. "Maggie was the world to her," the woman said.
She said Maggie was a gorgeous child who was wise beyond her years.
"She was a such a clever and bright girl," she said. "As a toddler she knew all the animals, all her shapes and colours, she was so clever and such a chubby little thing, a gorgeous girl."
She said Sen had a troubled relationship in the past and was terrified to be alone. She previously changed her name.
"We had offered for her to stay with us but she didn't want to be a a burden," the woman said.
The woman and her family last saw Evelyn and Maggie two months ago at the library. "She was doing well and happy, just so happy."
