Police are discounting any connection between the unexplained death of a Rotorua woman and a fracas heard nearby the night before her body was found.
Melani Mare, 34, was found dead by her 11-year-old daughter in the lounge of her Fordlands home yesterday morning. Police are yet to determine the cause of death.
The mother of six was a trainee teacher at Sunset Primary school and had spent the day before she died celebrating the 7th birthday of her youngest child.
A woman who lived in the area told The Daily Post there had been a party on Monday night at the house next door to Ms Mare's.
Another nearby resident said at midnight on Monday he had heard fighting, shouting and bottles breaking in the area.
Detective Sergeant George Staunton said police were discounting any connection between this report and Ms Mare's death.
"That's just coincidental. We're quite happy that that's nothing to do with this," he said.
A post mortem examination was due to get underway this morning but was delayed because the pathologist was unwell and a replacement had to be organised.
"We're all on hold until this post mortem gives us a steer about where we're going," Mr Staunton said.
Results from the examination would probably be available this afternoon.
"It could be completely natural causes; it's just that it's unexplained, it's unknown, so we're just being cautious. We understand that everyone's anxious - especially the family - so we're just doing our best and working towards getting a result from the post mortem."
Ms Mare's six children were being looked after by family members, and were doing "fine".
"The family's close nearby and we're regularly talking to them. They want their loved one back." Mr Staunton said.
Ms Mare had lived at the Wrigley Rd home with her partner and children, aged between 7 and 16.
She also grew up in the area and attended Sunset Primary School as a child.
Sunset Primary School principal Niels Rasmussen said Ms Mare was training to be a teacher and was a board member at the school.
"She was an active member of the school and was a good person with a good heart. She did a lot of work for us and she will be sadly missed."