‘Unexplained’: Woman found dead in Parnell apartment block

Police are at the scene of an unexplained death of a woman in Parnell. Photos / Dean Purcell

A woman has been found dead in “unclear” circumstances at an apartment in the affluent suburb of Parnell, Auckland.

Emergency services were called to an apartment block on Cracroft St just after 9.30pm, a police spokesperson said.

“A woman was located unresponsive inside a unit, and on ambulance staff attending she was pronounced deceased.

“The circumstances of her death are unclear, and police have commenced an investigation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said.

Officers carry equipment inside an apartment block on Cracroft St, Parnell after a woman died in "unexplained" circumstances overnight.

The apartment block on Cracroft St, Parnell where a woman was found dead inside overnight.

Friend said a scene examination will begin this morning.

A police van and a police car were parked outside the apartment building this morning.

Police are at the scene this morning. Photo / Dean Purcell

Detectives were seen inside the lower level of the apartment block in the entrance way. Officers were seen carrying equipment inside the building.

Curtains across the apartments are drawn this morning.

Police have been seen carrying boxes and equipment into the lower level of the building, which has old Housing New Zealand signage outside.

The ageing block has a broken window and graffiti on the stairwell window.

Police outside the Cracroft St, Parnell apartment where a woman died in "unexplained" circumstances overnight.

Police have just put up a “police emergency” cordon across the lower level entrance to the building.

“At this very early stage, we are treating the woman’s death as unexplained,” Friend said.

“As part of our investigation, a post-mortem is scheduled to be carried out today.”

Police have had two scene guards in place at the unit overnight.

“Police will remain in the Parnell area as part of our inquiries,” Friend said.

Anyone with information that might assist can update police online or call 105 using the reference number 250808/6672.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the NZ Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.