Ripiro Beach deaths: Murder charge laid after woman’s body found in burned-out car

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Police have charged a man with murder after a woman’s body was found in a burned-out car.

Jasmaine Corin Reihana, 35, was found dead in the car on September 9 at Ripiro beach in Dargaville.

His body was found by firefighters responding to reports of a car fire on the beach, a few kilometers south of Glink’s Gully.

They alerted police, who opened a homicide investigation and carried out detailed investigations on the beach and at a house in the nearby town of Te Kopuru.

Police said they charged a 34-year-old man with murder on Friday.

“Police have carried out a thorough investigation to ensure the person responsible for his murder can be held to account,” Detective Inspector Al Symonds said.

“I would like to thank the investigation team, who worked tirelessly to achieve this result, and the members of our community who contributed to our investigations.

“Thank you to everyone who provided information during this investigation.”

Symonds said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the Paihia woman’s death.

“Our team has been working to hold to account the person we accuse of being responsible for Jasmine’s murder, and we hope this will bring some relief to her whānau.”

The murder accused will appear in the Whangarei District Court on Monday, Symonds said.