Who killed Roma Joseph?
This much loved grandmother was brutally assaulted before her house was set alight on a wintry night three years ago. The community holds the key, police tell Phillipa Yalden.
Each night, Kirstie Joseph places an encrusted purple amethyst rock beneath the pillow on the bed of her South Waikato home.
The precious stone, known for spiritual healing and calming, belonged to her mother, Roma Joseph.
The pair bought it a few years back in a promotion at a local shop in Tı¯rau, where her mother lived in a quiet alcove dotted with pensioner flats, a block back from the bustling main road.
It was one of the few items Joseph, 34, was able to salvage when she sifted through the burnt-out remains in the bedroom of the Little St house where Roma was brutally assaulted and left for dead three years ago.
Fire, deliberately lit in the living area after what police described as a cowardly attack that autumnal May morning, destroyed almost everything else the grandmother of 19 owned.
‘‘I went in there and found an amethyst rock – she always used to sleep with it under her pillow, so I have that,’’ Joseph told Stuff following the anniversary of her mother’s death this month.
‘‘It makes me feel closer to her. I’ve got photos from her bedroom, which was untouched. A couple of ornaments and that’s about it.’’
Some time in the early hours of May 1, 2017, thumping echoed through the darkness.
Roma, a slightly built woman weighing little more than 48kg, was being violently assaulted inside her rental.
Then fire took hold. Whoever bashed the 58-yearold, then set a fire inside the living area of the modest twobedroom, weatherboard home before fleeing, some time between
3am and 3.30am.
Joseph understands police have a suspect in her mother’s callous and senseless death.
‘‘Come forward, speak up – it can’t be easy carrying this around. And maybe Mum can rest without it all being up in the air.’’
Two people were seen in the area at the time – one spotted walking along Little St, and another by Roma’s front door. Shortly afterwards, a silver fourdoor sedan pulled away, gliding off towards Bear St.
Bay of Plenty police district crime manager Detective Inspector Mark Loper said hundreds of hours had gone into canvassing the area, interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence compiled in a 100-page report.
‘‘We believe we have spoken to those persons [seen in the area] and are awaiting further information from the community. This is solvable, but we need the assistance of the wider public and some vital information which the community holds before we can advance it.’’
As time went on, allegiances changed, Loper said.
‘‘Roma’s family will be missing her – especially during those special times like Mother’s Day, birthdays, Christmas.’’
Loper could not comment on any potential motive behind the assault, or specify how the fire was lit, so as not to prejudice the ongoing investigation.
But he warned whoever was responsible that police weren’t going anywhere. One case Loper worked on took 35 years to solve.
‘‘Everyone wants closure in something like this. It doesn’t go away.’’
He urged anyone with new information to contact the police anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Joseph has thought about her mother’s last moments most days since she was killed. Knowing she was likely alive when the fire was set is sickening.
Waiting for an arrest was also difficult, Joseph said.
‘‘It won’t change anything, but it will give us all peace of mind, so we’re not going over everything in our minds to see what’s happened – who did this, and why?’’
A street of memories
Down the sleepy street, a block back from the main highway through the town known for its antiques and corrugated iron animals, the once decaying remains of Roma’s house are showing signs of new life.
A lemon tree creeps over the lattice timber fence, edging into the small section that now houses a compact unit. Construction began on the new house last year, say residents. Plasterers have come and gone and the walls inside await a lick of paint.
A pile of timber lies at the fenceline behind the green mailbox where Roma used to stop and throw a wave to her close neighbour.
In front is a wreath of camellias woven into a heart. It was laid by Roma’s niece to commemorate three years since her death this month.
Joseph’s wha¯ nau usually get together each year to remember the mother of four. This year, Joseph made crafts with her children to remember their Nanny Roma, who now has an extra few great-grandchildren. ‘‘We just did our own thing in our own bubble. To Mum, family was everything.’’
Those down Little St, whose front porches look across to ‘‘Nanny Roma’s’’ home, hope for the same. They’re still filled with sadness. They’ll never forget.
‘‘She was my good friend. I still miss her every day,’’ says a neighbour and close friend.
‘‘It’s very sad that someone hasn’t been made accountable,’’ says another. ‘‘The case is still open. Some take years and they’ve been solved. They’re [police] just waiting for the opportunity.’’
‘‘Come forward, speak up – it can’t be easy carrying this around. And maybe Mum can rest without it all being up in the air.’’
Kirstie Joseph