Sex assault link to murder

Police investigating the slaying of Napier mother Chattrice Maihi-Carroll say she may also have been sexually assaulted.

Yesterday they revealed for the first time that her body was naked when found by her sister in her Cottrell Crescent home in the Napier suburb of Onekawa on Monday last week.

The mother of four adult children lived alone.

Police said they were still unsure when she died, but the last confirmed sighting of her was on the previous Saturday.

Detective Inspector Sam Aberahama said police were looking at all the options and had an open mind about the motive for the murder.

"We want to hear from anyone who might have seen or heard anything suspicious from Saturday evening through to Monday morning."

The murder investigation team of 20 was yesterday boosted by the addition of a number of officers from outside Hawkes Bay.

- NZPA