Detective Inspector Al Symonds appeals for the public's help in solving the homicide of Dargaville mum Jo Sione-Lauaki. Video | Northern Advocate
Police have launched a homicide inquiry into the death of mother of eight Joanna Mai Sione-Lauaki, saying her autopsy reveals she was the victim of foul play.
Also known as Jo or Jojo, Sione-Lauaki went missing the night of Thursday, August 1. The next day her body was found on a remote stretch of beach between Omamari and Aranga beaches 35km northwest of Dargaville.
Her husband, Jared, said he was texted “help” by Jo some time between that Thursday night and 5.15am on Friday morning. At her funeral he spoke up, saying he was not involved in her death, after rumours were going around implying he could be involved.
Despite concerns by her whānau, police have until now maintained the death was unexplained.
On August 26, more than three weeks after Jo’s death, Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Crawford appealed for information on a white 2012 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute.
The vehicle was described as having no registration plates, an orange hazard light on the roof and aluminium dog cages on the back. It was believed to have been in the same area where Jo’s body was discovered.
On Friday, police again appealed for information about the ute, wanting to know its movements until August 10.
Police also want sightings of Jo’s black Mitsubishi Outlander, which was found in the carpark at Omamari Beach.
Detective Inspector Al Symonds also appealed for information about Jo’s clothing, which is still missing: a white Nike T-shirt with a red tick, black or dark-grey Everlast trousers, and red adidas scuffs.
“We are asking people in the area or from the area, if they find items of clothing, to please let us know.”
Detective Inspector Al Symonds is appealing to the public for help to find Jo Sione-Lauaki's clothing, including a white T-shirt with red Nike tick. Photo / Sarah Curtis
Symonds would not go into details about her injuries, other than to say some were unexplained.
Police say the investigation team are now appealing for information to help locate items of clothing they believe Joanna (Jo) Sione-Lauaki may have been wearing before her death, including red adidas scuffs like these. Photo / NZ Police
He did not believe the time delay between Jo’s death and the launch of the homicide investigation would hamper the case.
The white T-shirt had a red Nike tick. Photo / NZ Police
“It’s important that we take our time to get things right. In this case, given the challenges of the remoteness and the injuries that Jo sustained — and getting some clarity on how we believe those occurred — has taken us some time.”
The Everlast track pants were like this, but black or dark grey. Photo / NZ Police
Police were not looking into her gang connections through her whānau, he said.
“It’s not an avenue of inquiry we’re pursuing at this phase. We police without fear or favour: Jo is a mother who was going about her daily business and deserved to return home to her family.”
Symonds would not say what Jo was doing at the beach at the time, but said the family often went to the isolated beaches nearby.
“We’re speaking to a whole lot of people in respect to this inquiry but for the next little while, our focus will be on finding the clothing, determining the movements of those two vehicles and any persons related to those vehicles.”
Police said anyone with photos, videos or dashcam footage that may be relevant, can go to https://cloth.nc3.govt.nz to upload them.
Anyone with information can call police on 105 and quote file number 240803/9062, or call into the Dargaville police station.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
