Police appeal over Ruatoria homicide

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

It has been more than two months since the body of Kathleen Kawana was found at an empty Ruatoria property on August 3.

Gisborne Police Detective Sergeant Daniel Kirk told Police Ten 7 on TVNZ 2 last night that police immediately believed Ms Kawana’s death was suspicious, and confirmed to The Gisborne Herald this morning her death was being investigated as homicide.

Ms Kawana’s daughter Donna spoke on the television show and told police she would miss everything about her mother.

Her mokos now had no nan, she said.

Police are asking for the public’s help.

The last sighting of Ms Kawana was by family on June 20 in Porirua. Her plans were to travel to Hawke’s Bay the next day with an “associate”.

Police are asking for sightings of a 1996 Honda Accord with the licence plate UM317 between June 20 and August 3.

The car has since been on sold but police say they do know who it belonged to at the time Ms Kawana went missing.

Ms Kawana’s bank accounts were not touched after June 20.

If anyone has any information call Police on 105 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.