KEY POINTS:
The families of two Tauranga men whose involvement with the drug scene allegedly led to their murders desperately want to know where the bodies are.
Tauranga police today charged three men over the separate killings of William Taikato, 40, and Darrell James Crawford, 35, but searches have failed so far to find the pair.
"They have literally disappeared," said Detective Sergeant Daryl Brazier.
But there was "no question" the two men, who knew each other casually and were both involved with drugs and gangs, had been murdered, he said.
"We haven't recovered the bodies yet but it remains our principle focus. We will continue to work (on the two separate investigations, Operation Burd and Operation Orca) until we do."
Mr Brazier said the families of Mr Taikato, a father of two missing since December 20 last year, and Mr Crawford, last seen on August 12, 2007, were "desperate to get them back".
Outside Tauranga District Court this afternoon, once the three accused had appeared before a judge, Mr Crawford's parents welcomed today's arrests.
Only one of the defendants is charged with their son's murder while all three face counts of killing Mr Taikato.
Fiona Crawford appealed for anyone who knew where her stepson's body was to "have the guts to come forward. Give us some closure".
She and her husband Dave had searched widely since he disappeared and had even consulted a psychic. They now accepted that he was dead.
"It's horrible knowing that he is lying out there somewhere. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," Mrs Crawford said.
He was a good person who had "got in over his head" with drugs, she said.
Before that, he had a good job as a welder, was passionate about motorbikes and speedway, and loved his parents, brother and sister.
Detective Inspector Rob Jones said investigators would "dearly love to locate the bodies".
Not having them was a "complicating factor" and it was unusual to lay murder charges without bodies "but it's not insurmountable."
He said the Tauranga drug scene was central to police inquiries into both murders.
There were also connections to two local gangs, the Mongrel Mob and the Greasy Dogs - a small but long established motorcycle gang.
Further arrests were expected.
"We know others are directly or indirectly involved," said Mr Jones.
A core team of about 10 had been investigating the disappearance of the two men for many months.
Although Mr Crawford's car was found last year at Oropi, on the outskirts of Tauranga, unlocked and with the keys in the ignition, there had been no sign of Mr Taikato's vehicle.
It was a green 1996 four-door Holden Commodore, with the registration number UF9688.
Police were appealing for any information, which would be treated in strict confidence, to further their inquiries.
A $50,000 reward is still on offer for each of the murder cases.
In court today the three men charged had their names suppressed until late Thursday so they could tell their families.
A 50-year-old Te Puke man was accused of killing both Mr Taikato, 40, on or about December 19 last year, and Mr Crawford, 35, on or about August 12, 2007.
Two Welcome Bay men, aged 41 and 33, face counts of murdering Mr Taikato.
The men were remanded in custody to appear again on October 14.
- NZPA
