Woman's death in a carpark chills Auckland's sex workers

The discovery of a woman's body near Karangahape Rd in Newton has struck fear into local sex workers.

Police have not said the 45-year-old, who suffered serious head injuries, was a prostitute but they are treating the death as homicide.

The body was found by a passerby in a Pitt St carpark about 7.30pm on Wednesday but it is believed the woman probably died late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday morning.

Her identity is known, but police have yet to notify relatives.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said an autopsy showed the woman did not die of natural causes.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the Pitt St, Beresford St and K'Rd areas on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning," he said.

Mr Turner headed the investigation into the unsolved stabbing of Wendy Soutar in Napier St, Freemans Bay, on November 30 last year.

She nearly died after being stabbed in the head and upper body.

Mr Turner said there did not seem to be any connection with the attack on Wendy Soutar.

"But we must keep an open mind on everything."

This week's attack was different to the frenzied attack on Wendy Soutar, he said.

The woman found dead on Wednesday had been wearing blue jeans and a reddish or maroon jacket.

It was possible residents living around the area she was found may have noticed her recently and police would like to speak to them.

Mr Turner urged everyone out late at night or early in the morning to be "very aware" of their surroundings and to avoid alleyways.

Sex workers from the K'Rd area say they are not sure of the identity of the woman found off Pitt St.

One prostitute told the Herald she feared it would be "one of ours".

She also said she feared the "Christmas rush" had begun.

"There are more workers [prostitutes] in town. They come from the suburbs and surrounding areas, they come from up north and they come from down south into the city to make money.

"There's more violence. Everything escalates at Christmas ... suicides escalate, domestic violence escalates."

Even sex workers in the relative safety massage parlours had a tougher time at Christmas.

"On the one hand you've got Christmas - more money. You've got guys coming out and spending money," she said.

"But on the other hand you've got more drunks, more abuse - and more regulars crying because they don't have families to go to."

* Anyone with information about the attack should contact Auckland City Police on (09) 379-4240.