Pahīatua homicide: Police to do ‘final search’ for body of man believed to have killed his mother

Police will conduct one last search for a Pāhiatua man they believe killed his own mother before fleeing town.

Jeremy Robertson is thought to have died shortly after leaving the Wairarapa town and arriving in Rotorua in October last year.

He is the sole person of interest in the investigation into the death of his mother, Karen Gilbert-Palmer in Pāhiatua.

Robertson, in his 50s, is believed to have taken a car from his mother’s property and driven about 350km to Rotorua, where the vehicle was found abandoned at the Blue and Green Lakes lookout on Tarawera Rd.

Since the car arrived at the carpark, there has been no activity on his bank accounts or mobile phone, Detective Sergeant Richard How said today.

Given this, police believe the most likely scenario is that he died shortly after arriving in the Green and Blue Lakes area.

On Wednesday, about 20 police Search and Rescue staff, alongside volunteers, will conduct a final planned search in the surrounding areas of the carpark of the lookout, where the vehicle was found.

“Police remain committed to locating Jeremy if at all possible, to provide the closure that Karen’s loved ones deserve,” How said.

Search efforts will include a drone search phase. The drone will be used to search around the lake and nearby islands.

“Police expect this search to be a single day operation, but will have a significant presence in the area throughout the day,” How said.

“We are urging the public to contact us with any information that could assist our investigation.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who has previously located any medication packets, or any red or blue clothing in the area surrounding the Lakes, and nearby tracks.”

Police can be contacted via 105, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, referencing the file number 251015/6286.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111