Guilt, Season 7, Episode 1: I Love You, Mum

On Sunday the 30th of March 2003, Sara Niethe, a mother of three from the little Hauraki Plains village of Kerepehi, drove out to see a friend in nearby Kaihere. She never came home. In twenty three years, no trace of Sara, or of her light green 1987 Hond… Guilt, Season 7, Episode 1: I Love You, Mum

On Sunday the 30th of March 2003, Sara Niethe, a mother of three from the little Hauraki Plains village of Kerepehi, drove out to see a friend in nearby Kaihere. She never came home. In twenty three years, no trace of Sara, or of her light green 1987 Honda Civic, has ever been found.

Today, the 3rd of November, would have been Sara’s 55th birthday.

So before the case file, before the courtroom, this season of Guilt begins with her. Her son Dion, her close friend Janine and Moana, the teacher who taught her kids, remember the mum who was the loudest voice on the sideline, who brought the school PTA back to life, and who never once missed calling home.

This is Searching for Sara.

Can you help?

If you were around Kerepehi, Ngatea, Kaihere or the roads in between on Sunday the 30th of March 2003, or in the early hours of Monday the 31st, or if you have ever seen a 1987 Honda Civic hatchback, registration NH4050, please get in touch. You can contact me completely anonymously through theguiltpodcast.com, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Guilt is a Brevity Studios Production. All opinions expressed in this podcast are exactly that, opinions, and are not a statement of fact by the podcast itself. All persons named are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law.

Guilt is a 100% independent production. We have never received a single dollar in taxpayer funding. You can support us to continue to make great content, plus get Ad Free Listening, Bonus Episodes and Early Release, by becoming a Brevity+ subscriber on Apple or Spotify via Supporting Cast at https://guilt.supportingcast.fm/.

For details visit www.theguiltpodcast.com.

Further photos, videos and daily updates on Instagram: ryanwolfnz

Website designed by Jacob at Medio Street Media: www.mediostreetmedia.com

Written, edited and narrated by Ryan Wolf.

Title Song: Can I be forgiven - Sleepaway Camp

Guilt is a 100% Independent Podcast. Support the Podcast by becoming a Brevity+ subscriber. For a small monthly or annual fee you can both support the show and get a ton of amazing features, including Early Episode Release, Bonus Episodes, Ad Free Listening and exclusive access to the Guilt Podcast 'War Room' on www.theguiltpodcast.com where you'll find timelines, maps, case files, exclusive episode video content and more!

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March 30 marks the 20th anniversary of Waikato mother-of-three Sara Niethe's disappearance.

Her body has never been found despite her boyfriend Mark Pakenham admitting he killed her.

Pakenham was charged with her murder in 2011 but before his case went to trial he pleaded guilty to a reduced charg… March 30 marks the 20th anniversary of Waikato mother-of-three Sara Niethe's disappearance.

Her body has never been found despite her boyfriend Mark Pakenham admitting he killed her.

Pakenham was charged with her murder in 2011 but before his case went to trial he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter.

He has always refused to tell police where Niethe’s body is, but admitted he injected Niethe with methamphetamine on March 30, 2003, causing her death.

Twenty years on from Sara's death her children - now all adults with their own families -have commissioned a new search and hope that finally, they can find the answers and evidence they have always longed for. 

If you can help find Sara or have any information about her death email [email protected] or private investigator Bruce Currie [email protected]

You can also contact the police on non-emergency phone number 105 or the anonymous crime reporting line Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

For more on Sara's case click on the links below:

Cold-case killing: Shock guilty plea

Sara Niethe killer's long history of drugs, threats

Cold-case killer Mark Pakenham released on parole

Sara Niethe cold case: New search under way for body of Waikato mum killed with a ‘shot of meth’

FAMILY VIOLENCE - DO YOU NEED HELP?

If you're in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

Where to go for help or more information:

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

CREDITS:

A Moment In Crime is an NZME podcast written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald. 

The podcast is produced by myself, iHeart radio podcast producer James Irwin and NZ Herald podcast production manager Ethan Sills.

Episodes of a Moment In Crime are released monthly on nzherald.co.nz, iheart radio and all your usual podcast apps.  

And if you love this podcast, you might enjoy another series I wrote and produced - Chasing Ghosts - which focuses on the disappearance of Southland toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank.

If you have a crime or case you’d like me to consider covering, email [email protected]  

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. more