Lake Hāwea homicide: Who killed Karen White?

Karen White died after a "significant" assault at a home she owned with her husband at Lake Hawea, near Wanaka. Photo / Supplied

There were 258 days between Karen Gaylene White’s death and the police announcement last month that a homicide investigation had been launched. Following that, police refused to be drawn on what happened to the 60-year-old Invercargill woman — a mother of two with a young grandson. But on Thursday, after repeated requests from the Herald, the lead investigator confirmed White was the victim of “a significant assault”. Senior journalist Anna Leask looks at what we know so far about White — and her tragic demise.

Karen White died in a house where she should have been safe — a property she owned with her husband, Robert.

It was a place she had spent time with her family for more than a decade — a stunning house, estimated to be worth up to $1.8 million currently, with an idyllic lake view.

Karen Gaylene White.

But on March 8 this year, someone inside that house fatally assaulted the woman, leaving her dead in her bed.

Police are still working through the jigsaw of White’s death to establish the identity of that person — or people — and what the motive might have been.

White, according to an online obituary, was a “dearly-loved mother and best friend” to Nicole and Conrad and their partners.

She was an “adored” grandmother. A much-loved daughter and sister. And, the obituary said, “a loved wife”.

White was raised in Balclutha — with a sister and two brothers — and attended South Otago High School. She and Robert were in the deer farming game. He was also a crayfisher.

She had travelled the world — Machu Picchu, Botswana, Iguazu Falls, France, Fiji. She loved horses.

“I’ve been involved in equestrian competitions since I was around five or six but got my first pony when I was two. Mum had to buy me a pony to play with so I would stop trying to get into the paddocks with her quarter horses. So she found me a palomino mare called Honey just down the road,” Nicole shared in an interview for the Hinterland equestrian products website.

For many years White supported her family up and down New Zealand in their sporting endeavours — Robert, a national jetsprint champion, top motocross rider Conrad and Nicole a show jumper.

Friends paid tribute online.

“An amazing lady, gone too soon”

“A special friend… Your life was too short, but so well lived.”

A tribute to Karen White from her funeral service sheet, published online. Photo / Supplied

White’s funeral was held on March 15 in Invercargill.

“Karen meant the world to a few, was a best friend to some, a great friend to most and kind to all,” the front of her service sheet read.

“She will continue to live on through cherished memories, her two children and grandchild — never to be forgotten.”

Inside, a series of photographs of White as a child, with her kids at various ages, and with her closest friends.

Robert appears in one family photo and in a second with friends.

The Herald understands he and White were living apart at the time of her death.

They were navigating divorceproceedings and a source said they were due to meet the day after she died to “finalise what assets they were splitting”.

Robert White was approached for comment about his estranged wife’s death and the investigation.

“No,” was the only response.

Karen White and husband Robert at Machu Picchu on one of their overseas trips. Photo / Facebook

Conrad White said his mother was “a very private person who only shared her life with her nearest and dearest”.

She would be “mortified” by the publicity surrounding her death.

That publicity began eight months after she was laid to rest.

In May, the Herald learned police were making inquiries into her death.

“The death is being treated as unexplained,” a spokesperson said in response to a request for information.

Then, at 6am on November 21, police issued a press release confirming those inquiries had been escalated to a homicide investigation.

“We have a team of investigators working tirelessly to establish the circumstances that have led to the death, and remain committed to holding to account those responsible,” Detective Senior Sergeant Regan Boucher said.

“I want to reassure the Otago Lakes Central community that they can continue to feel safe while the police investigation continues.”

Boucher appealed to “anyone who has any information that may assist the investigation, or who saw any unusual activity in Lake Hāwea area” in late February and March to contact police.

“This is an extremely traumatic time for a family who have lost a daughter, mother, grandmother, wife and friend and we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family at this difficult time,” he said.

“Police ask that family’s privacy is respected at this time while the investigation continues.”

Karen and Robert White in happy times. Photo / Facebook

After that press release police were silent.

Boucher would not give any updates on the woman found dead in a home she owned with her husband — not their family home.

Repeated requests for information from the Herald went unanswered, including where and when White was last seen alive and who discovered her body.

On Tuesday a police spokesperson said Boucher was “still a wee way off with a few things”, but assured an update would be issued “proactively” when he was ready.

That update came at 6.33am on Thursday.

“We have confirmed the 60-year-old victim died as a result of injuries she sustained in a significant assault, and are speaking to a number of people who are assisting with inquiries,” Boucher revealed.

“Police are actively working to establish the circumstances that led to Mrs White’s death. Yesterday, police were back at the homicide scene in Lake Hāwea with scientists from the ESR, completing further examinations in relation to areas of interest.

Police at the house where White died. Photo / NZ Police

“Police cannot go into any more details about the examination or what was located.”

On Thursday night, Boucher told the Herald police were “working hard to determine what occurred prior” White’s death.

“Police ... believe there are people in the community that hold important information about Karen’s murder, and I encourage them to come forward,” he said.

He explained why it took so long to escalate the investigation.

“In March police initiated inquiries and treated Mrs White’s death as unexplained, conducting a scene examination across the week that followed speaking with a number of people who may have been in the area,“ he said.

“Since then, we have been working to determine what occurred prior to Karen’s death and a homicide investigation was commenced after enquiries led us to believe she died in suspicious circumstances."

Boucher said White’s family were co-operating with the investigation.

“Police are continuing to speak with Mrs White’s family who we are keeping updated as the investigation continues.

“I would like to thank members of the public who have reported information to us to date, and we continue to appeal for any information around Karen that people may feel relevant to our investigation.”

Just days before the killing, Robert White and his navigator, Haast woman Lisa Glubb, competed in the New Zealand Jetsprint Championship in Whanganui.

The pair, in a boat named Devil’s Advocate, placed second.

They have continued to compete in jetsprint competitions around the country since then — including in Canterbury, Featherston, Meremere, Wanaka and Southland.

In 1986, Robert White took out the national championship.

In an interview several years ago he said he “gave up” sprinting to concentrate on business and “very active” family but eventually he found more free time to come back to the sport.

“We’re not old yet — I might sound old, but I don’t feel old… you get out there and give it a shot… you gotta do these things while you can,” he said.

Friends of White were reluctant to speak about her while the police investigation was under way.

After the homicide investigation was made public Lake Hāwea residents were shocked.

One man said it was “a bit of a first for Hawea”.

White’s death has led to the first homicide investigation in Central Otago in many years.

The town — about 18km from Wānaka — has a population of 2020.

“Hawea is a very quiet town and stuff like this doesn’t happen,” one resident told the Herald.

If you have information that could help police investigating Karen White’s death — call non-emergency number 105 to report what you know. You can also report the information online on the 105 website.

If you want to pass on information anonymously you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz