A 57-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in relation to the disappearance of Jason Butler almost four years ago.
Jason Butler was first reported missing to police on October 27, 2021, after he had not been seen since October 23, 2021.
At the time, police conducted extensive searches in and around the Ōmāio area, including along the Haparapara River and bush areas.
Butler was never found.
Read more: Whānau still seeking answers amid report into missing man's discharge
Today, police executed a series of search warrants in Ōmāio and Ōpōtiki before arresting a 57-year-old man.
Jason Butler went missing in the bush while on unsanctioned work experience, shortly after being discharged from Whakatāne Hospital after admission under the Mental Health Act. (Source: 1News)
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson said it had been a long and extensive investigation.
"This week is the four-year anniversary of his disappearance, and I know they are still feeling his loss deeply.
"While I know we haven’t been able to bring Jason home, I hope this gives them some kind of closure."
The 57-year-old is due to appear in Whakatāne District Court today. The Crown will be opposing bail, police said.
The lead up to Butler's disappearance
In the weeks before Butler disappeared, he had been reportedly displaying increasingly erratic and concerning behaviour.
Butler had been living a transient lifestyle, and often slept rough since returning from Australia. He was further set back by a quad-bike accident, which had negatively impacted his behaviour, his family told 1News.
In early October 2021, Butler's family had taken him to the nearest crisis mental health team – where doctors first suspected a month-long psychotic episode.
Five days later, he was reassessed after seemingly improving with medication, according to a serious incident review by the Ministry of Health. He was then to be discharged the following day.
However, according to the review, later that same night he began punching walls and wanted to self-discharge, which was allowed to happen at 11.30pm.
The review found he was allowed to discharge himself against medical advice and without close family being informed. He was twice denied personal belongings and was not given any medication, prescription or treatment plan.
After leaving hospital, Butler should have been followed up with by a mental health worker, which did not happen.
Days after the appointment was meant to happen, Butler went on work experience in the rugged Raukūmara Range, with a Department of Conservation contractor, which had not been sanctioned by their employer.
The contractor seemingly left Butler at a riverbed filling his drink bottle so he could go ahead with his pest control work. The contractor emerged alone from the bush the following day.
It was another three days before Butler's disappearance was reported to authorities and a search and rescue operation launched. Nothing more than a few personal items were found.
Butler's whānau speaks
Butler's sister Huia Mackley, in a statement on behalf of his whānau, said the arrest bought "mixed emotions".
"Relief there has been progress, but deep sadness that we are still without him, still without answers, and still unable to bring Jason home."
She added the message to the person who has been arrested was "simple".
"Please, do the right thing now. Tell us where we can find our son, our brother, our father, our koro, our uncle. Help us bring Jason home and lay him to rest with dignity.
"We also appeal to anyone else who knows, or suspects where our Jason is, or might be. You too can do the right thing. You have the power to help end some of our mamae [pain]. Please, speak up. Contact the police, or if you want, contact us. Help us bring Jason home, while our parents are still able to lay their son to rest.
"Our family has carried this heartbreak for almost four years. We cannot begin to heal until Jason is returned to us."
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