A woman found dead in "unexplained" circumstances near a Northland beach yesterday afternoon had texted her husband for help, 1News understands.
It's understood she was local woman Jo Sione-Lauaki.
She was reported missing earlier on Friday after failing to return home on Thursday night, Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said.
1News understands police were called after the woman had texted the word "help" to her husband on Thursday.
Her body was found by a member of the public out for a walk around 5km north of the Omamari Beach settlement about 2pm on Friday.
Sione-Lauaki's vehicle was later found near the beach's public toilets.
The scene was cordoned off yesterday while forensic examinations were carried out.
A post mortem examination is underway today.
"Her death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances leading up to her death and her body being located," Clayton said yesterday.
Anyone who saw a woman wearing a green puffer jacket north of Omamari Beach between 8pm on August 1 and 10am on August 2 has been urged to contact police on 105.
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