Body located near Murupara

At approximately 2.30 this afternoon (Friday, 23 November) a body was discovered in an area of forest close to SH38, about 10kms from Murupara. The identity of the body is unknown at this stage.

Police investigating the disappearance of 51-year-old missing woman Michelle Hoffman-Tamm received information yesterday which led to their interest in the area around SH38 but are not in a position to confirm where Michelle's disappearance and today's discovery are linked.

Detective Senior Zane Smith said: "We have formal identification processes to now go through and it would be wrong of me to speculate before those processes are complete. We have been continually updating Michelle's family on the progress of our investigation and of course we have advised them that we have located a body, but they too understand that we cannot jump to conclusions."

The body has been removed from the scene and will now be taken for a post mortem examination to establish cause of death. Forensic examination has continued at SH38 but Police hope to have completed work at that location later today. Police also have an interest in a house in Holland Street which will be subject to examination over the coming days.

Michelle's bike was located yesterday by some shops at the intersection of Te Ngae Road and Basley Road, Rotorua.

Detective Senior Sergeant Smith said: "We have received valuable support and information from the community of Rotorua but we still have a lot of work to do so we need that support and information flow to continue."

Police want to hear from anyone who was in the area of Holland Street between 6pm on Wednesday 7, November and Sunday, 11 November and in Victoria Street between Sunday 11, November and Monday 12 November.

Police are particularly interested in the movements of a two-tone light-coloured Subaru Legacy stationwagon between the 7th and the 12th travelling around Rotorua or between Rotorua, Whakatane and Murupara.

A 44-year-old woman from Rotorua appeared at Rotorua District Court tomorrow morning charged with assault. She received interim name suppression and has been remanded in custody until Monday, 3 December.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rotorua Police on 07 349 9400. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

ENDS

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