Jasmine Wilson was barely recognisable as she lay dying in her hospital bed.
The 30-year-old mother of two was bruised black and blue from head to toe and had multiple fractured ribs. It's likely she had been beaten over a number of days, police say.
Two days later, on August 2, Wilson's life support was turned off.
A veteran detective has described the fatal assault, which remains unsolved more than a month on, as the worst he's dealt with in his 27-year police career.
"I've never seen a beating that bad," Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong, officer in charge of the homicide investigation, says.
"As an investigator, as a person, it makes you feel quite sick. No-one deserves to be treated like that."
Wilson's grieving mother, Brenda Reuben, 49, believes her daughter, a hairdresser, was "systematically tortured" by a "monster" who is being protected by a "web of secrecy" in Whanganui.
"How can you hide such a heinous [crime]?" she says. "What if it was your child? Speak up."
Wilson, fondly known by her family as Jazz or Jazzy, was driven unconscious and critically injured to the Whanganui Hospital car park from Whanganui East in a white Toyota Carib, registration ABQ682, about 9.20am on July 31.
The driver of the Toyota then switched places with someone from either a black VW SUV or a blue Subaru Impreza, both of which had come from the Castlecliff area, who then took her to the hospital's emergency department.
The homicide investigation has been hampered by people, including the occupants of the cars, who've refused to co-operate, police say.
Four people have been arrested – one for a historical assault and three for perverting the course of justice – but no-one has been charged with Wilson's murder.
The last confirmed sighting of the victim before she was dropped at the hospital was at the weekend, several days earlier.
On Thursday, Forlong told Stuff police remained unsure where the fatal assault, which likely took place over "a number of days", had happened.
He hoped the results of forensic testing at two properties – one on Millward St, Whanganui East and another in Karaka St, Castlecliff – would yield answers.
Wilson had stayed at the Millward St property with her boyfriend before the assault. She had links to the other address.
Police had been unable to find her Huawei Y6 cellphone (colour unknown). It polled in the Whanganui East area before she was taken to hospital and the Castlecliff area afterwards, but had since gone dead.
Wilson's silver chain bracelet, which had eight to 12 charms – including a love heart, a key and a bird – hanging from it, was also missing.
Forlong would not comment about possible gang links to the killing.
Stuff understands the investigation centres around associates of the Hells Angels, a notoriously secretive motorcycle club that has had a presence in Whanganui for more than two decades.
On Thursday, Forlong told Stuff police remained unsure where the fatal assault, which likely took place over "a number of days", had happened.
He hoped the results of forensic testing at two properties – one on Millward St, Whanganui East and another in Karaka St, Castlecliff – would yield answers.
Wilson had stayed at the Millward St property with her boyfriend before the assault. She had links to the other address.
Police had been unable to find her Huawei Y6 cellphone (colour unknown). It polled in the Whanganui East area before she was taken to hospital and the Castlecliff area afterwards, but had since gone dead.
Wilson's silver chain bracelet, which had eight to 12 charms – including a love heart, a key and a bird – hanging from it, was also missing.
Forlong would not comment about possible gang links to the killing.
Stuff understands the investigation centres around associates of the Hells Angels, a notoriously secretive motorcycle club that has had a presence in Whanganui for more than two decades.
Two women, aged 47 and 28, and a man, aged 48, have been charged with perverting the course of justice.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to injure.
None of those people can be named for legal reasons.
According to The Homicide Report, a Stuff data investigation, at least 98 people have died in suspicious circumstances in New Zealand in 2019.
That number includes the 51 people killed in the March 15 Christchurch terror attack.
At the same time last year there had been 41 homicides.
Last year's toll closed at 78, the worst since 2009 when 94 people were killed.
On average, there are 70 homicides in New Zealand each year.
The Homicide Report shows that at least 1098 people – 291 women, 610 men, and 197 young people – have been killed in this country since January 1, 2004 to date. (That figure includes police shootings, hunting accidents, and car crashes where someone is prosecuted for murder or manslaughter).
Half of adult female homicide victims are killed by a partner or ex-partner.
Anyone with information about Wilson's death can call 105 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
