Police have found a body during the search for Jeremy Robertson, who went missing last year and is the sole person of interest in the investigation into his mother’s death.
According to a report by 1News, officers discovered the body at about 8 am at Lake Rotokākahi near Rotorua while making inquiries into the 2025 death of Karen Gilbert-Palmer.
The lake is close to Robertson’s last known location. His vehicle was found abandoned at a carpark near the lake the day after his mother was discovered dead.
"While formal identification is ongoing, it is believed the body may be that of a person of interest related to the homicide investigation," Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson said, as quoted by 1News.
"There is no threat to the public, but there is an increased police presence in the area while our enquiries continue," 1News has quoted.
Tūhurangi Ngāti Wāhiao blessed the area following the discovery.
Gilbert-Palmer was found dead at her home in Pahiatua on October 15, 2025, after a friend became concerned when they could not reach her, as reported by 1News.
Police launched a homicide investigation, with her red Mitsubishi ASX missing from the property.
The vehicle was found unoccupied the following day at the Blue and Green Lakes lookout on Tarawera Rd, more than 350km from Pahiatua, 1News has reported.
Police believe Robertson left Pahiatua shortly after his mother’s death.
Formal identification of the body is yet to be completed, while police continue their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the discovery and the homicide investigation, as reported by 1News.