Jo Sione-Lauaki, pictured with her husband Jared Sione-Lauaki. Jo was found dead on Omamari Beach in Northland on Friday in circumstances police have described as "unexplained".
Jo Sione-Lauaki, pictured with her husband Jared Sione-Lauaki. Jo was found dead on Omamari Beach in Northland on Friday in circumstances police have described as "unexplained".
The death of Dargaville mum of eight Jo Sione-Lauaki is being treated as unexplained.
Police are asking for any sightings of her black Mitsubishi Outlander.
Police are urging the public to come forward with any sightings of a vehicle belonging to a Dargaville mother of eight whose death is being treated as unexplained.
The body of Jo Sione-Lauaki, known affectionately to her family as “Jojo”, was found about 2pm on Friday between Omamari and Aranga beaches, a remote stretch of coastline about 35km northwest of Dargaville.
Her husband and father of their eight children aged between 12 and 22 confirmed the 38-year-old’s death to the Herald.
A post-mortem examination was completed over the weekend.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said Sione-Lauaki’s car, a black Mitsubishi Outlander, was found near the entrance of Omamari Beach.
Clayton said police believe the vehicle was parked there sometime after 7pm on Thursday, August 1.
“Police would like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist our enquiries who has not yet spoken to us.
“In particular, we are appealing for sightings of the black Mitsubishi Outlander in the car park at Omamari Beach, or sightings of anyone near the car or on the beach on Thursday evening [August 1] or Friday morning [August 2].”
Police are asking anyone who may have information that can help to contact police on 105 and quote file number 240803/9062. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 11.
Jared Sione-Lauaki with his wife, Jo Sione-Lauaki, whose body was found on Omamari Beach in Northland on Friday, August 2, 2024, in circumstances police have described as 'unexplained'.
‘Help’: Sione-Lauaki’s final message to her husband
Sione-Lauaki was reported missing on Friday after she failed to return home Thursday night. Police later found her vehicle at Omamari Beach, with cordons put up and forensic examinations taking place.
Police hadn’t told him what they thought may have happened, but Jared Sione-Lauaki “definitely knew someone else was involved”, he said.
“Because I know my wife. She sent me a text that just said, ‘Help’, and my wife would never send me a text unless it was something very serious.
“Like if it was a dead battery or she got stuck at the beach, she would’ve explained herself. But to send ‘Help’, that caught my guts a bit.”
The dairy farm worker didn’t receive the text until he woke at 5.15am, but couldn’t tell when it had been sent because his phone had been on flight mode.
“I text, I rang, I text, I rang, I text, I rang.”
But there was no response.
He understood her body was found above the high tide line, but he wasn’t sure if she’d been in the water before she died.
“I’ve been with that lady 21 years .. and she’s never set foot in the freaking ocean water ever. That’s why I know something’s not right.”
He is a member of Black Power, but they didn’t have any enemies, Jared Sione-Lauaki said.
“We’re not all a**holes, we all have hearts and emotions and it’s not everything that you see on telly … when I was out in the community I always smiled, I can mingle with just about anybody, regardless of who I am.
“It didn’t matter if it was opposition or anything like that, I’ll still give them the same love and respect as if they were my family or my brothers.”
