The body was found in a burning car on Ripiro Beach, a few kilometres south of Glink’s Gully (pictured).
Photo: Supplied / Phil Astley

Police have released the name of the woman whose body was found in a burning car on Ripiro Beach, south of Dargaville, on Monday 9 September.

She was 35-year-old Jasmaine Corin Reihana from Paihia, in the Bay of Islands.

Detective Inspector Al Symonds, of Northland CIB, said enquiries into the circumstances behind her death were continuing.

“Police are supporting the whānau of the deceased at this difficult time, who we will continue to keep updated as the investigation continues,” he said.

“We understand this was a distressing incident for those involved and the wider community. We’d like to reassure those affected we have a dedicated team following positive lines of enquiry, and those involved will be identified and held to account for Jasmaine’s death.”

Symonds also repeated his call for anyone who was on or near Ripiro Beach, close to Glink’s Gully, between 2pm on Sunday 8 September and 9am on Monday 9 September, to contact police.

Reihana’s body was found by firefighters responding to reports of a car fire on the beach, a few kilometres south of Glink’s Gully.

They alerted police, who launched a homicide enquiry and carried out detailed scene investigations at the beach and a home in the nearby town to Te Kopuru.

Last week police said they were speaking to a person of interest, and were not looking for anyone else.

At that time they also called for sightings of a 2012 grey Ford Ranger, registration GJC586, and a white or light grey 2001 Toyota Harrier, registration FYR31.

Both vehicles were in the Te Kopuru area, south of Dargaville, on Sunday and Monday.

Police also wanted to hear from anyone who saw a person riding a quad bike on Pinaki or Pouto Roads around that time.