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The police investigation sparked by the discovery of a woman’s body in a bag in the sea off Gulf Harbour in March has attracted strong community interest, and the team has received more than 140 tip-offs.
Among them was a call from a local resident who saw photos in the press of the pyjama pants that the unidentified victim was wearing, and recalled having seen a woman in pyjamas walking with two other people in central Ōrewa.
It had been puzzling at the time, but only after seeing the police photos did it strike the resident as possibly holding significance.
Police were notified, and examined CCTV footage, the resident said.
Invited to comment, a spokesperson said police thanked people who had come forward with information during the investigation.
“However, while this is ongoing we are unable to go into the specifics of what information has been received. We continue to ask those who might have information to assist, to get in touch.”
As of late last week, a police presence continued at a property in Ōrewa where a search warrant was executed on July 1 after police stopped two people who were attempting to leave the country.
A neighbour told Hibiscus Matters that the occupants of the house were quiet.
“It was an absolute shock to us,” the neighbour said of the sudden appearance of police vehicles and tents. “It’s dragged on.”
A man and a woman, both aged 36, pleaded not guilty when they appeared in the North Shore District Court on July 1 on charges of interfering with human remains by offering an indignity to a body. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
According to court documents, the alleged offence occurred in Ōrewa on March 8 – four days before the remains were found.
A judge declined a bid for continued name suppression for the defendants, but due to an appeal, media remain unable to report the names.
Since a fisherman’s grisly find in Gulf Harbour on March 12, police have been working to identify the victim and those behind the homicide.
The victim was described as a slight, middle-aged woman of Asian descent, wearing blue pyjama bottoms featuring pink hearts and a light-coloured singlet with an emblem. Her body remains at the mortuary in Grafton, in the care of the coroner.
Police are continuing to appeal to the public for any information. Callers can phone 0800 755021 to speak directly to the investigation team, use the 105 phone service, or visit www.police.govt.nz/use-105 (Update My Report reference file number 240312/9837). Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.
