Police view on death jolts family
The family of a pregnant woman found dead on a remote Wairarapa beach is reeling at police saying her death is not suspicious.
Indian national Sonam Shelar was five months pregnant when she disappeared on Saturday a week ago.
Husband Sagar Shelar reported her missing on Sunday last week.
On Wednesday, surfers discovered a body at White Rock Beach, part of which can be accessed only from private farm land.
Police confirmed they were not treating the 26-year-old’s death as suspicious and had referred the case to the Coroner.
Speaking to the Herald from Mumbai, India, spokesman
Harshal Patkar said the family was in shock.
“The family is in grief . . . that I can definitely say,” he said.
The family saw Sonam as mentally strong. Patkar had said the thought of her harming herself was not likely.
Sagar Shelar, a 32-year-old chef, had earlier said his wife had been upset after an ultrasound scan showed they might be expecting a girl, and she had desperately wanted a boy.
Sonam’s final movements are not clear.
Patkar said the family was working out how some of Shelar’s relatives could get to New Zealand.
“I cannot tell you the exact date or anything, but that process is happening,” he said.
Some family members had expired passports, he said.
In the meantime, the family had been gathered together in Mumbai.