Jude Coxhead Tauranga including Jude Coxhead NZ
Woman Reported Missing Found Dead At Wairere Falls After 3 Day Search
Jude Coxhead, a 62-year-old woman from Tauranga who was reported missing three days ago, has been found dead today after an extensive search at Wairere Falls near Matamata.
Police announced that Coxhead's body was discovered this afternoon, bringing a tragic end to the search efforts that had been ongoing since she was reported missing on Saturday.
Her relatives in Tauranga last saw Coxhead last Friday. Her car, a gold Nissan Tiida, was found parked at Wairere Falls on Monday, prompting a major search operation in the area.
Multi-Agency Search Involved Over 100 People
The search for Coxhead involved over 100 personnel from various agencies, including police, Land Search and Rescue volunteers, the Department of Conservation, Fire and Emergency NZ, local iwi, and the Westpac rescue helicopter from Waikato.
The Wairere Falls track on the western side of the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park near Te Aroha was closed off today as the search intensified. Police announced that Coxhead's body was located this afternoon after thorough searches of the area around Wairere Falls.
No Suspicious Circumstances Around Death
Police stated that the death will be investigated by the coroner, but there were no suspicious circumstances.
"The police would like to extend their gratitude to members of the public who contacted them with information that was helpful in locating the woman. Our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time," police said in their statement.
Coxhead Was An Adventurous, Caring Woman
A close friend of Coxhead's for nearly 30 years described her as a "wonderful" and "adventurous" person.
The friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said Coxhead had been a primary school teacher in Tauranga and taught both her daughter and later her grandson. She had known Coxhead for almost 30 years.
Search Effort Hampered By Rough Terrain
The search for Coxhead was made more difficult by the remote, dense bush and uneven terrain around Wairere Falls.
Police said the area around the waterfall presented challenges for the search teams, but they persevered in trying to locate Coxhead.
Outpouring Of Support From Community
There has been an outpouring of support and condolences from the Tauranga community after the news of Coxhead's death.
Many people expressed their sympathies online, praising the efforts of all those who had searched tirelessly for Coxhead over the past few days.
The tragic outcome has united the community in grief and recognition of the caring, adventurous spirit that Jude Coxhead embodied. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched.
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