Pahīatua homicide: Motorists should not pick up hitchhikers resembling Jeremy Robertson

Police are seeking Jeremy Robertson after the death of Karen Gilbert-Palmer, 74, in Pahīatua on October 15.

Motorists have been warned not to pick up a hitchhiker resembling a man on the run after the death of a Manawatū woman.

Police are yet to receive “substantiated” sightings of Jeremy Robertson, who the Herald understands to be the son of the deceased, 74-year-old Karen Gilbert-Palmer.

Gilbert-Palmer was found dead at her Arthur St, Pahīatua house about 4.40pm on October 15.

Police believe Robertson, who is in his 50s, took the victim’s red Mitsubishi from the scene and drove it hundreds of kilometres up to Rotorua. The vehicle was found abandoned at a lookout later that week.

He has been on the run for nearly two weeks now, with police no closer to finding him.

“We would like to thank those people who have contacted us regarding possible sightings of Robertson. Police are following up on all information received but as yet no information received has resulted in a substantiated sighting of Robertson,” Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson said in a statement.

“Robertson should not be approached if seen – we are asking instead that people call 111 immediately to advise us, quoting file number 251015/6286."

The Herald understands Robertson is known to hitchhike.

“Any motorists who see a hitchhiker who resembles Robertson are asked not to stop but to call police immediately on 111,” a police spokeswoman said.

Police are urging the public not to approach Jeremy Robertson but to call 111 immediately if they see him.

Thompson has declined to give interviews about the case.

Police are continuing to appeal for sightings of Gilbert-Palmer’s red, late-model Mitsubishi ASX VRX station wagon, registration QGU91.

It was discovered at the Blue and Green Lakes Lookout on Tarawera Rd, Rotorua, 350km away from Pahīatua, a short time after her death.

Police believe Robertson arrived in the area about 2am the morning after Gilbert-Palmer’s death.

Members of the public had seen the vehicle parked at the lookout carpark from about 8am on the Friday.

Police believe Jeremy Robertson was driving the red Mitsubishi ASX, registration QGU91, taken from the scene of a suspected homicide in Pahīatua. Image / NZ Police

Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice, and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.