Homicide: Police seek discarded items
Police investigating the suspicious death of Aroha Kerehoma in Hamilton are appealing for residents in the area to look out for any discarded items.
Residents in the Dominion Road, Wall Street, and Roy Street areas are asked to keep an eye out for any items of clothing, a cellphone, or any other items of note, Detective Senior Sergeant Daryl Smith said yesterday.
Kerehoma, 28, was found dead at a Dominion Road house in the Hamilton suburb of Nawton on Sunday morning.
Police on Tuesday said they were treating her death as a homicide and appealed for information.
‘‘Anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary near 63 Dominion Road on Saturday night is being urged to contact the Hamilton Central Police Station.’’
By Wednesday morning the police tape had come down and there were no officers guarding the property where they had been stationed since the discovery on Sunday.
Almost every window of the house remained ajar and the front mesh door was taped over.
A silver sedan was left abandoned in the driveway, not far from a children’s swimming pool and umbrella.
Neighbours in the street that stretches from Avalon Dr almost to Hamilton Zoo were puzzled as to what had come of the young woman.
Not many knew her personally, believing she’d only lived at the home for the past few months.
One neighbour believed two children, aged 8 and 10, had been seen at the property.
On social media those who did know Kerehoma posted tributes.
‘‘Tragic what happen to u!! [sic] You were such a beautiful wahine so calm always smiles! We had some cool times my bro rest easy wish i could have caught up with u so i guess il c u wen i get there!!love u will miss u forever,’’ one person posted.
Another said: ‘‘Rip my cuzen love u cuz wish i was there to do something cuz can’t believe ur gone.’’
Dominion Rd resident Jan Walker said news of a homicide had shocked residents.
‘‘I just feel awful as I didn’t know the girl, I don’t think they had been there long. It’s just a tragedy.’’
Dominion Rd had a transient population, she said, with many people moving in and out of rental properties. She’s been in her house down a shared driveway of other retirees for the past 10 years.
●➤ Anyone with information can call Hamilton police on (07) 858 6200, or pass information on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.