Jayden Mamfredos-Nair: Mum's tribute to 'loving son' after killers jailed

The mother of Jayden Mamfredos-Nair – a teenager murdered by a trio of Head Hunters associates – has paid tribute to her "loving" son after his killers were sentenced today.

The 19-year-old Mamfredos-Nair was last seen getting into a car with two gang associates on the night of April 21, 2023.

According to the NZ Herald, the teen was lured to a Dairy Flat property under the false pretence that he would participate in a drug robbery. Instead, he was shot in the head and buried in a pre-dug grave.

What followed was a nine-month search, and as time went on, it became clearer he had been the victim of foul play.

His body was found in January 2024.

Three men, Head Hunters MC prospect Matthew Snaylam, patched member Zak Kameta, and associate Hassan Al Fadhli, were found guilty of killing Mamfredos-Nair at the High Court in Auckland in November last year.

Today, they were sentenced.

Snaylam and Al Fadhli were jailed for a minimum period of 17 years, while Kameta was jailed for a minimum period of 18 years.

Following their sentencing, Mamfredos-Nair's mother, Maria, issued a statement through police.

She said the "long" legal journey was over but "for our family, the ongoing journey of grieving and healing continues".

"While today brings a level of accountability, no sentence can fill the void left by the loss of Jayden or ease the weight of his absence in our lives."

She described her son as being "full of laughter, hope and dreams".

"Like any young person, he made mistakes, but nothing he did deserved to end this way.

"He was loving, kind and deeply caring. Family meant everything to him. He took his role as a big brother seriously and was always there when someone needed him. He was the heartbeat of our home, without him, there is silence."

She said her son's murder had left a "devastating permanent impact" on his entire family, his friends, and his community.

"The grief, the heartbreak, the devastation – it will never go away. Our lives have been shattered, changed forever."

Maria said her son left a legacy of "love, light and compassion".

"Even in death, his light still shines, a light that can never be taken away.

"Though our hearts remain heavy, and the pain of his absence will be with us for the rest of our lives, we will carry his memory in every step we take.

"Honouring him by remembering the moments of love, laughter and hope he brought into our lives. We take comfort in knowing that this chapter is finally over, and he can finally be at peace."

She thanked the community "who have stood by us through this unimaginable pain", as well as police investigators and the prosecution team.

"We are profoundly moved by the perseverance in seeking justice and the compassion you showed our family throughout this difficult time.

"You refused to give up despite the challenges – and gave us the gift of closure and the chance to lay our boy to rest with dignity.

"To the judge and jury who have carried the great responsibility of the trial with fairness and compassion. We sincerely thank you all."

She closed by asking for space as the family needed to "navigate this next chapter of our journey privately".

"Rest easy now, Jayden. Gone too soon, but you will never be forgotten."

Detective Inspector Callum McNeill thanked all police staff who worked on the investigation.

“This team never gave up their work to locate Jayden and bring him home for his family,” he says.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team, for their absolute determination to see the investigation through to the end and seek justice on behalf of Jayden’s family.

“Jayden’s death has placed a heavy toll on his family, and I know they deeply feel his loss."

McNeill said Mamfredos-Nair's family had been "incredibly composed" throughout weeks of evidence at trial.

“Nothing we could have done would have brought Jayden back, but I hope there is some closure for them in being able to find Jayden and lay him to rest.”