Mitchell Cole, 29, is the son of victim Brendon Cole. Composite / NZ Police
Mitchell Cole, 29, is the son of victim Brendon Cole. Composite / NZ Police
Police investigating the double homicide of a Whanganui farming couple are trying to identify a mystery man seen near the scene, as the search for their son — wanted in connection with the killings — enters its second week.
The son, 29-year-old Mitchell Cole, has a warrant for his arrestand remains on the run a week after the homicide investigation began.
Brendon and Trina Cole were found dead in the driveway of their Ruatiti property near Whanganui National Park on December 13. Police believe they were shot several days earlier.
Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, Central District CIB field crime manager, said police want to identify a man seen near the intersection of Pukekaha Rd and Ruatiti Rd at about 6pm that day.
“The man was described as late 20s or early 30s, around 6ft tall, clean-shaven with a lean, athletic build,” Bouterey said.
“He was wearing a singlet, shorts and baseball cap.”
Brendon and Trina Cole.
Anyone who saw the man, or was in the area at the time, is urged to contact police.
Mitchell is Brendon’s son and Trina’s stepson, the Herald understands. The couple were known in the tight-knit community as dedicated sheep farmers, and Trina was highly regarded in Neapolitan mastiff dog-breeding circles countrywide.
