Police investigating the death of a 22-year-old Wainuiomata mother during an alleged exorcism ceremony, suspect someone in her family killed her while trying to get rid of an evil curse.
But the family aren't talking.
Janet Moses is thought to have drowned during some sort of ritual at the Wellington Road home of a relative on October 12. It is understood police were called to the scene at 5pm but Moses actually died some eight hours earlier.
Police say her body was marked by grazes on her arms and torso.
The house had been full with her maternal relatives and police say at least one of them was involved in Moses' death.
"The focus of the investigation thus far has always been on the family, they are still central to our investigation and will continue to be so", says Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy.
ONE News approached several members of Moses' family for an interview. None would appear on camera, but one said that some relatives believed Moses was under a makutu or curse, and that she was undergoing a ceremony to lift it.
It's claimed the makutu was linked to the theft of a sacred item.
One neighbour told us he heard what sounded like a haka coming from the house the night before Janet Moses died.
Detectives say the family is co-operating with police, but the inquiry could take come time to complete. They are still analysing a vast amount of information gathered during the last four weeks.
Following Moses' death, an Anglican Church leader is calling for caution surrounding the practice of lifting curses
Archdeacon Hone Kaa says he is asked to lift a makutu around twice a year.
But he says a lot of research needs to be done into the cause of the curse before taking action and only specific people should carry out the ritual.
He says it depends on where the person comes from, and tribal histories need to be carefully traced.
