Where is Sara Niethe - the 20-year mystery and the new hunt for a missing mum
March 30 marks the 20th anniversary of Waikato mother-of-three Sara Niethe's disappearance.
Her body has never been found despite her boyfriend Mark Pakenham admitting he killed her.
Pakenham was charged with her murder in 2011 but before his case went to trial he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter.
He has always refused to tell police where Niethe’s body is, but admitted he injected Niethe with methamphetamine on March 30, 2003, causing her death.
Twenty years on from Sara's death her children - now all adults with their own families -have commissioned a new search and hope that finally, they can find the answers and evidence they have always longed for.
If you can help find Sara or have any information about her death email [email protected] or private investigator Bruce Currie [email protected]
You can also contact the police on non-emergency phone number 105 or the anonymous crime reporting line Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For more on Sara's case click on the links below:
Cold-case killing: Shock guilty plea
Sara Niethe killer's long history of drugs, threats
Cold-case killer Mark Pakenham released on parole
Sara Niethe cold case: New search under way for body of Waikato mum killed with a ‘shot of meth’
FAMILY VIOLENCE - DO YOU NEED HELP?
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay
Where to go for help or more information:
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
CREDITS:
A Moment In Crime is an NZME podcast written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald.
The podcast is produced by myself, iHeart radio podcast producer James Irwin and NZ Herald podcast production manager Ethan Sills.
Episodes of a Moment In Crime are released monthly on nzherald.co.nz, iheart radio and all your usual podcast apps.
And if you love this podcast, you might enjoy another series I wrote and produced - Chasing Ghosts - which focuses on the disappearance of Southland toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank.
If you have a crime or case you’d like me to consider covering, email [email protected]
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.