Man charged with cold case murder

An Auckland man has been charged with the murder of Sara Niethe, who has not been seen since March 30, 2003. Photo / supplied

An Auckland man has been charged with murdering a woman who went missing on the Hauraki Plains eight years ago.

The 49-year-old was today arrested for the murder of Sara Niethe, who has not been seen since March 30, 2003.

The arrested man will appear in North Shore District Court tomorrow.

Ms Niethe, from Kerepehi, 23km south of Thames, was reported missing when she failed to return home after visiting an ex-boyfriend at his property on Kaihere, on State Highway 27.

Security camera footage showed her making a purchase on her way in Ngatea, 8km west of Kerepehi, before her journey to Kaihere, about 20km to the southwest. She had not been seen since.

The case was the subject of an episode of Sensing Murder, a television show featuring people who say they have psychic abilities, but no progress was made until last year.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said today's arrest showed police never totally closed an unresolved case.

"A full review of the investigation was carried out in 2010 and following that an extensive reinvestigation was launched,'' he said.

"Evidence assembled by the investigation team was reviewed by the Hamilton Crown Solicitor before the decision to arrest the man was made.

"To be able to take this case to the point it can be presented before the courts is a testament to the calibre of investigative staff who serve the wider Waikato community.''

The disappearance of the mother of three in 2003 was seen as out of character, particularly on the 10th birthday of one of her children.

"Sara had made a booking for a birthday outing at a local cafe,'' Mr Whitehead said.

"An extensive search and police investigation failed to find or establish what had happened to Sara or the Honda car she was driving on the day she went missing.''

- NZPA