An investigation has been launched into how Hamilton police dealt with the alleged murder of a 53-year-old woman on Monday.
Police found the body of Diane Elizabeth White on their second visit to her Blackburn St property after an alleged dispute with a neighbour.
Her longtime partner, Garry Chadderton, says he was just minutes from visiting her when he heard sirens.
Neighbour James Wilson says he knew the woman who has been charged with Ms White's murder. She would often borrow things from him and on Monday, she borrowed a hammer.
Neighbours told 3 News the two women had a history of arguments, and there were concerns because the accused had just come out of a mental health unit.
“There was a lot of warning signs and nobody [did anything] about it,” says Mr Chadderton.
Hamilton police had a number of calls about the accused on Monday morning and it was on their second visit to Ms White's house they found her body.
There’s now an inquiry into whether police responded appropriately.
There are also claims the mental health centre where the alleged offender had been staying, didn't act on concerned calls about the woman's behaviour.
The CEO of the Waikato District Health Board has strongly reputed the claims, saying no call to the Mental Health Service was ignored.
The police have backed him up saying they are satisfied with the timeliness and nature of the information the centre passed on.
3 News