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Source: ONE News -
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Family and friends of Barbara Julian are "shattered" at the discovery of 70-year-old's body in her Kaitaia home, the victim of an apparent home invasion.
It was Julian's turn to host the weekly drinks with her circle of widowed friends on Wednesday afternoon, but she never answered the door.
When the friends broke in, they found her dead body.
"The family are absolutely shattered. She was a warm, loving lady. It's just not right," niece Linda Lunjevich says.
Police are questioning a 17-year-old male about Julian's death.
He was arrested on an unrelated matter but is considered a person of interest in the homicide investigation, police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett.
A man had been seen earlier in the day walking away from the Matthews Ave house where the former teacher's body was found.
Julian and her husband, who died of cancer about four years ago, moved to Kaitaia from their farm at Mangamuka Bridge, about 38km southeast of the town, when he retired about five years ago.
One of her neighbours, a woman who also lives alone, said she had known Julian since she made the move into town.
"Ever since I met her, she seemed like a person I'd known for years. I will really miss her."
Julian spent most of her married life teaching at Umawera School, a small rural primary near their farm which both of her children attended and her grandson now attends.
She also taught at Kaingaroa School, near Doubtless Bay, about 26km northeast of Kaitaia. Principal Pat Duncan described her as a "local identity".
"She was a very kind, caring, really genuine lady."
Police have not yet released Julian's body, but the family hopes
to hold her funeral next week.
Police expect their inquiries into her death to last several
days.
