Police have launched a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead in Northland, following a series of enquiries that began with the discovery of a burnt-out vehicle near Tangowahine.
The trail took investigators across very different parts of Northland, from a vehicle fire near Tangowahine to Opononi and eventually Whirinaki, locations separated by more than 100km and about 90 minutes’ drive.
A 26-year-old man appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Tuesday charged with murder, arson, theft of a motor vehicle, burglary and using a credit card to obtain a pecuniary advantage.
Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston said emergency services were called to Ounuwhao Rd, near State Highway 14, at about 9.11am on Monday after a Toyota SUV was found on fire.
“Emergency services attended Ounuwhao Road near State Highway 14, at around 9.11am, and urgent enquiries got underway to locate the registered owner of the vehicle,” Johnston said.
