He has always refused to tell police where Niethe’s body is, but admitted he injected Niethe with methamphetamine on March 30, 2003, causing her death.
Mark Pakenham was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Photo / Alan Gibson
Twenty years on from Sara’s death her children - now all adults with their own families - have commissioned a new search and hope that finally, they can find the answers and evidence they have always longed for.
A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by senior journalist Anna Leask - who has been covering crime and justice for NZME since 2005.
Some of Leask’s more notable work includes coverage of the murder of British tourist Grace Millane, the killing of Auckland teenager Christie Marceau and countless high profile stories in her specialist areas of family violence, child abuse and crimes against women.
Leask has also reported on most of the major incidents and events in New Zealand during that period including the Christchurch quakes, Pike River mine disaster, March 15 terror attack and the White Island eruption.
“Each month I’ll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high-profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard,” she said.
“Heroes and villains battle for justice to be done, and it seems no matter how horrifying the story, we always want to know more.”
A Moment In Crime is a NZ Herald true crime podcast. New episodes are available monthly on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
This episode was written and produced by Anna Leask, edited by James Irwin, with executive producer Ethan Sills.
This episode contains profanity and refers to violence, drugs and family harm. It is suitable for a mature audience.
