Police release name of northern Taranaki shooting victim

New Plymouth CIB can now release the name of a 50-year-old woman who died after being shot at her Okoki, northern Taranaki, home yesterday.

She is Rosemaree Kurth, aged 50 years.  Ms Kurth has a partner and three adult daughters from a previous marriage.  One of her daughters lives in Australia and will be returning home.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, New Plymouth CIB, said Ms Kurth was well known and liked in the local community and worked as a caregiver.

A 13-year-old boy will appear in the New Plymouth Youth Court at 3.30pm today charged with murder following yesterday’s shooting.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said that Ms Kurth’s family and friends are
grieving as they come to terms with this very sad situation.

“Rosemaree’s  loved ones are naturally very distressed as are others who know the young boy,” Detective Senior Sergeant Coward said.

The boy arrested is known to Ms Kurth but is not blood related.  He has however been in her care and others close to her in recent times.

Police are continuing today with a meticulous forensic scene examination at the house today in Piko Road, Okoki, and also on a white four door 1993 Ford Telstar car which was driven from the property after the shooting and stopped in Waitara.

“We are very interested in hearing from people who saw that car on the roads between Okoki and Waitara, between 3.30pm and 5pm,” Detective Senior Sergeant Coward said.

Anyone with information about this is asked to call the police investigation team at New Plymouth police station on 07 759 5500.

Ms Kurth’s body is still at the house and once police and forensic specialists are able to do so her body will be removed for a post mortem.

Police will also be talking with as many local people in the community as possible as part of their ongoing inquiries to find out how the shooting happened and why.

“We know that this very distressful situation is affecting many people in the local community, some of whom went to Rosemaree’s assistance,” Detective Senior Sergeant Coward said.

“We are working with them and others to ensure that people have the support they need.”