Police are checking for a possible connection between the murder of a woman found at Whangaparaoa and the sudden death of her former partner hours later.
The Herald has learned that the North Shore man died the same day the body of Saeu Luana Ate, 51, was foundat Army Bay.
Ms Ate's body was found in bushes at Army Bay on Saturday morning by a man walking his dog.
She had multiple stab wounds, inflicted in what police described as a "frenzied" attack some time overnight.
A family member said Ms Ate had recently broken up with the man after an abusive relationship.
Ms Ate had told members of her Samoan family that she had been assaulted and the man had threatened to kill her at times during their relationship.
Charges she had brought against him were before the court, the Herald was told.
A friend and neighbour in the Manukau suburb where Ms Ate lived alone said the former boyfriend had been hassling her about dropping the charges, and on Friday she was particularly stressed and upset.
The woman said Ms Ate was a friendly and helpful woman who had offered to assist local families with budgets.
She was well-liked, and had represented the neighbourhood on community issues.
The woman said she contacted Ms Ate's sister when she heard a woman's body had been found in Whangaparaoa, and encouraged her to contact police.
"When I heard about the body I knew it was her," the friend said.
Ms Ate had lived in the United States most of her life. She was divorced and returned home last year when her mother died.
She had planned to return to America, but once home decided to stay.
Her family did not know how she became involved with the man, who they said was a retired prison guard, but had been concerned about her wellbeing after learning he was physically abusive.
Police investigating the murder have been speaking to Ms Ate's family, friends and associates.
The relationship between her and the dead man was "one avenue we are looking at", a police spokeswoman said.
