Colin Heath, 46, whose pronouns were they/them, went missing on March 19, 2022, in Te Kūiti.
Colin Heath, 46, whose pronouns were they/them, went missing on March 19, 2022, in Te Kūiti.
Warning: This article refers to suicide and may be distressing for some readers.
A close friend of a person last seen in Te Kūiti almost four years ago says they are convinced human remains found near Ōtorohanga last week are their lost mate.
Archie Bailey told the Herald it alladded up immediately.
“I knew where their cellphone had last pinged – which was just out of Ōtorohanga. As soon as we saw that location, we were like ‘s***’!”
Colin “Col” Heath, 46, whose pronouns were they/them, went missing on March 19, 2022.
Police have not formally disclosed that the skeletal remains are Heath’s – nor have they detailed a cause of death.
The body was discovered by a farmer and a group of weed controllers in an area of privet bush near State Highway 3 between Ōtorohanga and Te Awamutu late last week.
Bailey, who also uses they/them pronouns, says they felt “incredibly relieved” and “deeply angry” by the discovery.
It had been suggested that Heath may have simply been part of a freedom camp.
“And that wasn’t true, and we all knew that that wasn’t true. And it turns out that no, they didn’t throw their phone away and walk into the bush somewhere. They were right there, right there. And that is infuriating,” Bailey said.
“My question for police is did they search that area or not? And if not, why not? Because their body was found in what we believe is the middle of the cellular corridor for the last cell tower Col’s phone pinged from.”
There has never been a memorial held for Heath, and those close to them had expressed little hope of ever recovering their body. The discovery came almost four years to the day Heath disappeared.
“Our assumption was that Col was experiencing mental distress, and our belief was that they would have walked deep into the bush and taken their own life,” Bailey said.
“So based on that obvious scenario, most of us came to terms with the idea that Col’s body would never be found. So frankly this is, in a way, unexpected.”
Bailey says their friend enjoyed the “vibe” of a protest – but they were against violence.
“Deeply passionate about how to create change in the world at a really high level. A deep thinker and somebody who was worth a hell of a lot more than they thought they were.”
Suicide and depression
Where to get help:
Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
