The Lost 02 | Judith Yorke

Shannel Yorke struggles to remember her mother, Judith, who
disappeared in 1992, and retired cop Alan Collin talks of his
determination to find peace for the family.


This series was first released on 10 November 2017


Watch a video segment from the episode here


At least one of about 30 people is believed to hold the key to
the disappearance of mother-of-two Judith Yorke 25 years ago.


The 25-year-old, known as Judy, was last seen at an orchard shed,
where she was partying with about 30 others in Matapihi on
October 21, 1992. Police believe she was killed. All the
party-goers were interviewed. One of them became the main
suspect. For the first time, that person is revealed in the RNZ
podcast The Lost as Aaron Komene.


But police have never gone back to the party-goers despite
believing some never completely told the truth - and Judy has yet
to be found. Judy's daughter Shannel Yorke told RNZ's The Lost it
was time the police re-interview witnesses to find out what
happened to her mother.


Shannel was just shy of her fourth birthday when Judy went
missing, so remembers very little about her.


"Certain perfumes I smell remind me of her, but no real
memories," she says. "I do hope that one day we do find her. I'm
still hopeful. I know it's a long shot, but I guess there is
still hope."


Alan Collin was the lead investigator when Judy went missing in
1992. He has since retired from the police, but says solving her
disappearance is still important to him.


He was called in 14 days after Judy was last seen at Matapihi and
immediately launched a homicide investigation.


Judy had dropped off Shannel with her parents in Te Puke and gone
out to a hotel in Mount Maunganui. She went out with her former
partner's brother, Aaron Komene. Mr Collin says the pair were
sleeping together.


About 11pm, Judy, Aaron and four others headed to Matapihi in her
car. They had planned to go to a marae, but it was closed so
headed to the orchard shed known to have music and booze.


Judy was last seen there between 1am and 2.30am. When the group
she'd arrived with didn't find her, they left in her car without
her. Her muddied shoes were found a day later.


The police interviewed the party-goes about Judy's last
whereabouts. Mr Collin doesn't believe everyone told the truth.
There were so many inconsistencies, the police went back and
interviewed them again. He says the people in the Judy's car
before and after the party, including Aaron Komene, were looked
at closely.


When asked why Aaron was a suspect, Mr Collin says the police
look for motive and opportunity, and jealousy is a strong motive…


Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details