Jamie Kaiwai's family is still searching for answers more than a year after she disappeared.
Jamie, 27, went missing from Tolaga Bay in October 2019. Police say her death isn't suspicious and she was seen on the wharf before her disappearance.
But with no suicide note, no body and no answers, Jamie's family isn't convinced she took her own life.
Jamie's cousin Jonique Oli Alainu'uese has previously expressed disappointment over the Police's response.
She believes Jamie's mental health issues and cannabis use impacted how the police handled the case.
Several bloody and damp items of clothing were found in Jamie's car after her disappearance, Police sent them for forensic testing and say they are consistent with the other evidence.
But Oli Alainu'uese said there are parts of the Police's theory that don't make sense to her.
"I always knew there was bloodied clothing in the car but I hadn't actually seen what they were as they removed them. So when they finally showed those photos to me I had to really hold back those tears," she told The Hui on Monday.
"The way that her trousers were found were inside out, so if you were pulling them off a body they would be that way and with one shoe still stuck inside. I was also told that the blood did come from the inside again suggesting that she may have harmed herself."
She said police told her Jamie went into the water, but Oli Alainu'uese can't understand how the clothes got back into the boot if that's the case.
"There was blood in the room, so if self harmed there she would have had to leave, drive to the wharf where everyone was...she would have had get out [and] walk into the water, decide 'I'm going to take my clothes off, walk back to the car take her clothes off and then went to drown herself. None of that makes sense to me and I don't think it makes sense to anyone."
Area manager of investigations detective senior sergeant Kevin Ford told the Hui the results from the forensic testing did not raise any "areas of concern".
"Police can confirm that some clothing belonging to Jamie Kaiwai was sent away for forensic testing. The result of this testing was consistent with other evidence and did not raise any areas of concern for police. These results will form part of the information that is provided to the Coroner in the future," Ford said.
"Other than that, we reiterate our previous statement: the investigation into the disappearance of Jamie Jaiwai remains open and active, however it is not being treated as suspicious. Once the investigation has concluded the matter will be referred to the Coroner."
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Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
The Hui is made with support from Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.
