Auckland homicide inquiry: Police believe teenager Jayden Mamfredos-Nair victim of ‘foul play’

Police believe the disappearance of a missing teenager last seen on April 21 is a homicide and that he was the victim of foul play.

The mother of Jayden Mamfredos-Nair, 19, who was seen in West Auckland nearly four months ago, has made a desperate plea for information about her son, saying: “Let’s get him back.”

Waitematā CIB Detective Inspector Callum McNeill addressed media at Birdwood Reserve in West Auckland’s Ranui-Massey-Swanson area to update efforts to find Jayden Mamfredos-Nair, 19.

Waitemata CIB Detective Inspector Callum McNeill is set to hold a stand-up at Birdwood Reserve in Ranui on the investigation to find missing West Auckland man Jayden Mamfredos-Nair. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Members of Mamfredos-Nair’s family joined police for the press conference, some of them in tears.

The teenager was last seen by friends and family on April 21 at 8.45pm and was reported missing from Massey three days later.

Police now believe he has been murdered.

“Since that time Jayden has not been seen by his family and friends it is of great concern to them and police. Since he has been missing he has had his 20th birthday,” McNeill said.

“Police have kept an open mind throughout the investigation but as time has gone by concerns have grown.”

McNeill said the investigation team have spoken to a lot of people since and a number of search warrants have been executed in West and North Auckland.

“Evidence leads me to believe we are investigating a homicide and Jayden is a victim of foul play.”

Police are set to reveal new information on the mystery disappearance of West Auckland teenager Jayden Mamfredos-Nair. Photo / NZ Police

McNeill said the missing teen’s family was with him today and coming to terms with what had happened to their boy.

”We need to find Jayden and provide some closure to his family.”

McNeill said he wanted to make a fresh appeal to the public.

”We are interested in Jayden’s movement on this street at this location.”

Mamfredos-Nair was on Lincoln Rd at a gas station 45 minutes before he was seen at the reserve, McNeill said.

He met two associates with links to the Head Hunters gang at the location, got into a vehicle and that is the last time anybody had seen him, McNeill said.

“They are not cooperating with the police.”

The vehicle was a 2022 late model Black Toyota Hilux, he said.

For those people who might know about Jayden’s disappearance, McNeill asked them to forget allegiances to the gang and to contact police on 105, or anonymously on Crime Stoppers.

He then a read a statement on behalf of the family.

“We the family of Jayden are deeply concerned and distraught over the disappearance.

“Jayden is a cherished member of our family.

“Our hearts ache with worry and we are desperately seeking a safe return for him.

“Please help us bring our boy home.”

Mamfredos-Nair’s mother told the Herald, “everything’s a bit overwhelming”.

“Police are supporting us as much as they can.

She thanked the Herald and said: “Let’s get him back, dead or alive.

“We just want him back,” she said.

McNeill said police had formally launched a homicide investigation.

Jayden had not touched his bank accounts or used social media since his disappearance, which was highly unusual. He also missed celebrating his 20th birthday.

McNeill said police were not aware of Jayden having any links to gangs.

The associates Jayden was last seen with are based in West and North Auckland, he said.

One of them had a long-standing association with Jayden, McNeill said.

“The black Hilux has been seized by police.”

“It was thoroughly examined and I’ll keep that as part of the investigation.”

McNeill said they had taken statements from parties but not everyone was co-operating.

Asked whether it was a drug deal gone wrong, McNeill said that was something police were definitely looking at.

“We have spoken to Jayden’s associates. All we can say is he has arranged to meet these individuals at this location.

“It is heartbreaking. I want to return Jayden back to his family and hold those who have murdered him to account,” McNeill said.

Jayden was dropped off by an associate to Birdwood Reserve on the evening of his disappearance, McNeill said.

Family offers reward

Mamfredos-Nair’s friends and family had earlier shared social media posts offering a reward to people who had information on his whereabouts.

When Mamfredos-Nair first went missing, Waitematā Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie said officers made a number of extensive inquiries to find him.

“However, these efforts to date have been unsuccessful, and police are now appealing to the public for help,” she said in May, in the fortnight after his disappearance.

“Police have serious concerns for his welfare and want to make sure he is safe, and ask anyone who has seen him to contact police immediately.”

Goldie said Mamfredos-Nair was last seen wearing a black and white jacket, navy blue pants, grey running shoes, and a black hat.

Police released a CCTV image of him when he was last seen, entering a petrol station.

“Anyone who sights Jayden is urged to call the police on 111,” Goldie said.

Meanwhile, in the south, police are continuing to hunt for Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao.

The efforts to find Bao are focused on roads and farmland on the outskirts of the city.

Bao was last seen alive on July 19, when she arrived at a house for sale on Trevor St, Hornby, set to show a potential buyer through.

A week later, her disappearance was upgraded to a homicide investigation.

Since then, police have focused their efforts on the Halswell River and Lake Ellesmere, using ground, water and aerial surveillance.

This week they extended their search to a section of farmland at Lincoln.

Akula Sharma is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2022. She has previously worked at the Gisborne Herald.