Human remains found near Murupara

Operation MATERA

THE HUMAN REMAINS LOCATED NEAR MURUPARA ON 18 APRIL 2010 WERE THE SUBJECT OF A POST MORTEM EXAMINATION IN AUCKLAND ON FRIDAY 23 APRIL.

THIS EXAMINATION HAS DETERMINED THAT THE REMAINS ARE THOSE OF AN ADULT MALE, MOST LIKELY MAORI.

NO CAUSE OF DEATH WAS ABLE TO BE ESTABLISHED.

SAMPLES OF THE REMAINS HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN BY ESR STAFF AND WILL UNDERGO FORENSIC ANALYSIS TO ATTEMPT TO EXTRACT DNA, WITH A VIEW TO POSITIVELY IDENTIFYING THE DECEASED.

THE RESULTS OF THESE TESTS ARE EXPECTED MIDWAY THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

JOHN WILSON
DETECTIVE SERGEANT
ROTORUA CIB
PHH: 07 3499558