Final search planned for missing son at centre of mother’s death investigation

Monday, 20 July 2026

Nearly nine months after a Pahiatua woman was found dead in her home, police will carry out a final planned search for her missing son, the sole person of interest in the investigation into her death.

Karen Gilbert-Palmer, 74, was found dead at her Arthur St home on October 15, 2025, after friend Belinda Cranston became concerned when she failed to arrive for a planned visit.

Police say her son, Jeremy Robertson, left the Pahiatua area shortly after her death, travelling to Rotorua. The vehicle he was using was later found at the Blue and Green Lakes lookout, but despite extensive searches, Robertson has not been found.

On Wednesday, about 20 Police Search and Rescue staff and volunteers will search the area around the lookout, Detective Sergeant Richard How said.

The operation will include ground searches, while a drone will search around the lakes and nearby islands.

Police said there has been no activity on Robertson’s bank accounts or mobile phone since the vehicle he was using arrived at the lookout.

“Given these facts, Police believe the most likely scenario is that he died shortly after arriving in the Green and Blue Lakes area,” How said.

Police expect the search to take a single day but said there would be a significant police presence in the area throughout Wednesday.

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

Police are also appealing for information from anyone who has previously found medication packets, or any red or blue clothing, in the area surrounding the Blue and Green Lakes and nearby tracks.

When police announced in May they believed Robertson had most likely died shortly after arriving in the Green and Blue Lakes area, Cranston told Stuff at the time she had long believed that was the case.

Cranston, who found Gilbert-Palmer’s body after going to check on her when she failed to arrive for a planned visit, said the loss of her friend of 10 years had been devastating.

“She was like my sister, I’ve lost my right arm,” she said.

Speaking to Stuff at the time, Cranston said she and other friends gathered on what would have been Gilbert-Palmer’s 75th birthday to remember her.

“I miss her so much.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 105, quoting file number 251015/6286, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.