Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Inspector James Keene, Field Crime Manager, Eastern District Police:
The discovery of a woman’s body at a worksite in Omahu, Hawke’s Bay last week is now being treated as a homicide.
Police were called to the Taihape Road site on Tuesday 3 February after the woman was found on the property.
She was Sharlene Smith, aged 64, from Rotorua. We continue to support her loved ones at this extremely difficult time.
Our early enquiries have established that this was a tragic and avoidable death of a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister, and we are determined to find answers for her whānau.
We have a committed team of investigators working on this investigation, and we are also calling on the public to help.
Police are appealing for sightings of a white Mazda 3 2005 sports hatch on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 January within the Taihape Road/Omahu Road Fernhill area. [Car pictured is similar in appearance]
We would also like to hear from anyone who witnessed any other suspicious activity in the area during that time period.
Anyone with information can get in touch through our 105 service, quoting reference number 260203/9739.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
