As stated by Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kris Payne:
Hawke's Bay Police investigating the homicide of Sharlene Smith are releasing further information and appealing for public assistance.
On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, Police were called to a worksite on Taihape Road, Omahu, after Sharlene's body was located on the property.
Through ongoing enquiries, Police have identified a likely route taken by a vehicle of interest. We know this vehicle was used on the day Sharlene's body was left at the worksite, and officers have carried out extensive work to locate and review CCTV footage from the relevant timeframe.
Police are appealing for sightings of a white 2005 Mazda 3 sports hatchback between 8am and approximately midday on Sunday 1 February 2026, travelling from the Awatoto area, through Taihape Road/Omahu Road and the Fernhill area, and into Marewa, Napier. [see pictured map]
We are asking anyone who saw this vehicle, or who has home, business, or dashcam CCTV footage from those areas during that time, to please contact Police if not already spoken to.
Police are also seeking two items, belonging to Sharlene, that are believed to have been discarded along the same route:
- a handbag [pictured], and
- a Samsung Galaxy A06 mobile phone.
