Like most neighbours spoken to by the Herald, he’d seen and heard nothing - and nor had he been aware of any previous issues at the property where the woman died.
However, one neighbour was woken by screaming and then a raised voice, she said.
“I was going to get up, but then I just fell back asleep.”
Police are expected to release more details as their inquiries progress.
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.