Murder inquiry | Northland News | Local News in Northland

A 70-year-old Kaitaia grandmother found dead in her home had told her niece she was thinking about leaving town because people in the street were frightening her.

A police homicide investigation has been launched into the death of Barbara Catherine Julian.

Neighbours became worried after she failed to turn up for a regular get-together at 4.30pm on Wednesday.

Forcing their way inside they discovered her body, calling police to the Matthews Ave home about 5.30pm.

Detective Inspector Karyn Malthus, who is heading the investigation, said a man had been seen walking away from the address on Wednesday.

Later in the day police were alerted to someone acting suspiciously in a backyard a few doors away.

He was arrested on an unrelated charge of being unlawfully on a property, but remained a "person of interest".

It was too early to say what the motive  could be in the killing, and the cause of death would be established  in a post mortem due to be carried out today.

Yesterday a 30-strong police team scoured the property and went door to door interviewing residents. Friends and neighbours, reeling and red-eyed, stood at their gates remembering a woman known across the district for her community work and decades of teaching.

A police caravan was set up outside Mrs Julian's home, and two other homes -  just a few doors away in each direction - were also cordoned off.

Shocked family members gathered at a home in Mangamuka yesterday.

The first that niece Linda Lunjevich knew of the tragedy came in a phone call on Wednesday, telling her police tape had gone up around her aunt's home.

But that did not prepare her for the horror of what had happened.

Her aunt had been a gifted and enthusiastic teacher, a lively, intelligent, caring woman with a wide circle of friends - although her peace of mind had been dented in the weeks before her death.

Alone since her husband, Ted,  died five years ago, she had stayed at 91 Matthews Ave with its immaculate garden, but  had become increasingly uneasy.

"She was becoming a little frightened by the people she heard going up and down the street and she was contemplating moving to Whangarei," Ms Lunjevich said.

That would not have been a decision taken lightly.

Mrs Julian was a member of a local garden club, a trustee of Far North Palliative and Cancer Care and a relieving teacher at Kaitaia Abundant Life School. Her life in Kaitaia had been busy and fulfilling.

She was a remedial teacher too, offering time and expertise to kids in need of extra help, "such a nice lady, a lovely lady".

"We're shattered. Totally. Unbelieving," Ms Lunjevich said.

"This is beyond comprehension.  She was our Aunty Barb, and we just loved her."

Police  from all over Northland are working on the case, as well as forensics and fingerprinting experts from Auckland.

Detective Inspector Malthus was "absolutely" confident of finding the person responsible. "This is a tight-knit community, and people are helping us."

She urged anyone who had seen anything unusual  in Matthews Ave on Wednesday to call Kaitaia police on (09) 408 6530.

"Even if they think it's of no use, because often that's just the most useful information."

An unemployed youth appeared in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday charged with being unlawfully on a property. He was given interim name suppression. He was remanded in custody to re-appear on November 19 and will undergo psychological assessment to see whether he is mentally fit to plead.