Police have released an image of the vehicle belonging to 38-year-old Joanna Mai Sione-Lauaki, the woman who was found dead near a Northland beach on Friday.
Sione-Lauaki's body was found by a member of the public out for a walk around 5km north of the Omamari Beach settlement at about 2pm on Friday. She had been reported missing earlier on Friday after she did not return home on Thursday night.
Northland CIB Detective Inspector Al Symonds said her vehicle — a black Mitsubishi Outlander — was found by officers parked in the car park near the entrance to Omamari Beach.
Police believe the vehicle was parked there sometime after 7pm on August 1, Symonds said.
She said officers were still collecting evidence and speaking with people in relation to the investigation.
"We would like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist our enquiries who has not yet spoken to us.
"In particular, we are appealing for sightings of the black Mitsubishi Outlander in the car park at Omamari Beach, or sightings of anyone near the car or on the beach from Wednesday July 31, through to Friday morning, August 2."
Anyone with information — including photos or videos — could contact police on 105, online or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Earlier this week, Sione-Lauaki's family described her as a "vibrant", "uplifting" woman who touched people's hearts.
Sione-Lauaki's sister-in-law Matilda Kahotea urged anyone who saw Jo between Thursday and when her body was found to "come forward".
"We desperately want answers... We don't know what happened yet, we deserve to know what happened."
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