As stated by Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, Field Crime Manager CIB Central District
Police continue to make steady progress in the investigation into the deaths of Brendon and Trina Cole, who were found deceased at a rural property on Murumuru Road on Sunday 13 December 2025.
While there are aspects of the investigation that cannot be discussed, Police want to reassure the community that significant work is ongoing.
I would like to thank the members of the public who have already spoken with investigators and provided statements or otherwise supported the investigation.
The cooperation shown by the community has been invaluable, and we acknowledge the effort it takes to come forward in what remains a difficult and distressing matter.
We know individuals who hold information that could assist the investigation have not yet spoken to police, and the information you hold could help provide answers to two families who are grieving.
To those people, we urge you to reconsider and contact us. Even information that may seem minor or insignificant could be critical in progressing this inquiry.
As part of the ongoing enquiries, Police have identified that a semi-automatic shotgun should have been at the Murumuru Road address but was not located during the initial scene examination or in subsequent searches.
Police previously believed an occupant of the address had this shotgun in their possession; however, the firearm has still not been accounted for, and we are now seeking information on its whereabouts.
We believe this semi-automatic shotgun may have been altered to have the end of the barrel cut down and is likely to have been discarded in the Murumuru Road, Parinui, or Ruatiti areas. Alternatively, it may have been left in or near a hut or rural structure.
If you have found a firearm in or around these areas, or have any knowledge of where it may be, Police ask that you do not touch it and instead contact us immediately.
In addition to this, if anyone has knowledge of firearms that belonged to the occupants of 470 Murumuru Road and you haven't spoken to police - please contact us.
We continue to follow all lines of enquiry and carefully assess information as it is received. We are committed to ensuring the safety of the wider community and at this stage, there is no information to suggest any ongoing risk to the general public.
Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 251213/6207 or Operation Murumuru.
Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
