By TRUDIE McCONNOCHIE and NZPA
A 19-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a Mamaku caregiver after police discovered a body in a forest grave yesterday afternoon.
Police have not yet identified the body, but Detective Senior Sergeant Garth Bryan said it was discovered as a result of the inquiries into John Eric Sorrenson's disappearance.
Fading light meant the body could not be exhumed from its shallow grave in a forest south of Putaruru yesterday, he said.
John Sorrenson, 56, went missing from his Mamaku home, northwest of Rotorua, on Sunday evening.
Police charged a South Waikato man last night with the murder of Mr Sorrenson and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
The man will appear in the Rotorua District Court today.
The night Mr Sorrenson disappeared neighbours heard loud bangs at the home he shared with Eric Olsen, an intellectually handicapped man in his 40s.
Neighbours said Mr Sorrenson had taken Mr Olsen into his care about 16 years ago when Mr Olsen became too difficult for his mother to look after.
Mr Olsen, who suffered from bi-polar disorder and was on heavy medication, was in his bedroom when his caregiver disappeared.
Marnie Cowdrey, a friend of Mr Sorrenson's for 25 years, said he was a gentle man who never lost his temper.
"I'm devastated because I can't understand who would want to hurt him. He'd do anything for anyone.
"He probably had his faults but, aside from liking the odd juicy bit of gossip, none that I could see."
Wendy Thompson, who lives opposite Mr Sorrenson's house, said on Tuesday that locals would be extremely upset if anything had happened to him.
"He's quite a popular man - a lot of people go and visit him. Well-known, well-liked."
Scene examinations of Mr Sorrenson's house, where blood has been found, are continuing.
His vehicle, located in Putaruru on Tuesday night as a result of calls from the public, was seized by the police for forensic examination. Mr Bryan said: "As a result of information we gathered during the day, it took us to an area in the forest, where we have located a shallow grave and determined that there is a body in the grave.
"We knew where we were going; we were told where to go ...
"We haven't pulled it out so there is no identification at this stage. We can't say who it is yet."
Mr Bryan said whoever was responsible had covered the body and taken the trouble to bury it.
"The grave was not far from one of the forestry roads, but it's quite a long way away from a main road.
"The house examination is still continuing and will carry on tomorrow.
"The problem is that we've had the scientists here doing the house, then they were called away to do the car, then called to the body.
"We're going to leave the body where it is tonight. We'll be back at first light."
Up to 30 police staff are involved in the investigation.
It is not known when a formal identification of the body will be made.
Teenager charged with murder of Mamaku caregiver
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