Arrest In Historic Murder Case
Arrest In Historic Murder Case
Waikato Police say an
arrest in an historic cold case is a testament to the
dedication of enquiry staff and demonstrates that no matter
how long a case may remain unresolved it is never
closed.
District Rural Field Crime Supervisor,
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead, said Police
today arrested a 49-year-old Auckland man in connection
with the 2003 disappearance of Kerepei mother of three, Sara
NIETHE. "Sara was reported missing when she failed to
return to her Kerepei home after visiting a male
acquaintance at his Kaihere property on State High
27".
"The last confirmed sighting of her was at Ngatea
on the 30 March 2003. CCTV footage recorded her making a
purchase while on her way to Kaihere".
Mr Whitehead
said Sara was expected to have returned that night to the
home she shared with her mother and three
children.
"Her failure to return home or to make
contact was immediately of concern as it was so out of
character. One of her children was having her 10th birthday
and Sara had made a booking for a birthday outing at a local
cafe".
"An extensive search and Police investigation
failed to find or establish what had happened to Sara or
the Honda car she was driving on the day she went
missing."
Mr Whitehead said the investigation remained
open over the intervening years with new information being
checked and other aspects being re-examined.
"A full
review of the investigation was carried out in 2010 and
following that an extensive reinvestigation was
launched".
"Evidence assembled by the investigation
team was reviewed by the Hamilton Crown Solicitor before
the decision to arrest the man was made".
The man will
appear in the North Shore District Court on the 17 August on
a charge of murder.
"To be able to take this case to
the point it can be presented before the Courts is a
testament to the calibre of investigative staff who serve
the wider Waikato community".
"It will also
hopefully serve as some reassurance to Sara's family and
those of other victims who place their faith in Police,"
said Mr Whitehead.
End