Crime scene investigators from Newcastle are combing through 13 Browning Street where a woman was brutally murdered this morning.

The scene is cordoned off to keep onlookers at bay.  The victim, Rekha Govender (30), worked at Fore C Armature Winders, adjacent to Orange Grove.

A distressed Ashleigh Long of the company told the Courier that Rekha had worked there since February having previously worked at The Cold Chain.

“She was such a punctual person and never missed a day of work.  When she did not arrive this morning and her cellphone went to voice message (which is unlike her), colleagues drove to the house. They saw her car parked outside but no sign of anyone inside the house. Her cousin, who lives nearby, was also there and had managed to open the back door and saw her body.  It is terrible.”

Rekha lived alone in the house and had done so for some months, neighbours said.  It is not clear if anything was stolen from the house.  Watch for updates.