20 Oct 2016

Police treat Waikato River death as 'unexplained'

12:02 pm on 20 October 2016

A woman whose body was found in the Waikato River last night had been playing with her two dogs on the river bank before she died.

Police want informaton on a black Subaru station wagon seen parked on the banks of the Waikato River on the afternoon of 19 October 2016.

Police released an image of a black Subaru station wagon parked on the river bank yesterday. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Police are continuing to treat the death of Hamilton woman Beth Christina Winfield, 23, as unexplained.

Her body was found not far from a black Subaru station wagon that had been parked in a reserve area on the river side of Ann Street in Hamilton.

Police said Ms Winfield was believed to have been throwing a ball and playing with her two dogs on the bank of the river yesterday afternoon.

Loud music had been heard coming from the vehicle throughout the afternoon.

Ms Winfield was later found dead in the Waikato River a short distance from the vehicle.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw the car.