A Coroners Court hearing has been held this afternoon to formally identify a fourth victim of a landslip at a holiday park in Mount Maunganui last week.
Coroner Louella Dunn confirmed she was Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland.
Evidence was presented by Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths, a member of the Disaster Victim Identification team, at the Tauranga Moana District Court at 4.30pm.
The coroner ruled the identity of the body had been established as Sharon and her remains could now be released to her family.
‘Our hearts are broken’: Families of Mt Maunganui victims pay tribute – Watch on TVNZ+
Sharon’s body was found on January 28.
“At 15 years of age, Sharon died in tragic and unimaginable circumstances. I want to offer to her family, to her friends, to her community, to her school my sincere condolences for their loss,” Dunn said.
‘Touched so many lives’
In a statement, her parents Natallia and Carmine said their “hearts are broken following the passing of our beautiful daughter Sharon Maccanico”.
The teenager dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, practising for hours every day to hone her craft.
The schoolgirl won awards in all seven of the solo dance competitions she took part in at the regional and national level, her proud parents said. Last year, she also won an international competition in Belarus.
“We gave her all the support we could and were so proud to watch her work towards achieving her dreams,” the statement read.
“We had the most amazing relationship with Sharon. From the day she was born, she was loved by all.”
The close-knit family “always did everything together”, adding that mother and daughter “had a bond like no other, and were best friends”.
“Sharon felt comfortable to talk to her about everything and had a very close relationship with both her parents.”
Despite the distance, she also had a close relationship with her older sister, who was living in Belarus, and her family in Italy.
“She made so many people happy and touched so many lives. We loved that she had the ability to get along with absolutely anyone,” her parents said.
“Sharon was very well respected and had a great sense of humour.”
‘Love of her life’ died with her
The teenager met “the love of her life” Max Furse-Kee one year ago, who was also killed in the landslide, and “quickly formed a strong relationship”.
Natallia and Carmine said Max “became a treasured part of our family, and he looked after Sharon and made her feel so special”.
“We would like to thank everybody that has reached out to our family and sent kind messages.
“We have been so well supported, and we would like to especially thank all the people who have worked so hard to bring Sharon back to us.
“We also want to express our gratitude to the community, local iwi, and all the people who have been beside us through this difficult time. We are very grateful for their support.”
Sharon Maccanico and Lisa Anne Maclennan were confirmed to have died in the slip. (Source: 1News)
A Givealittle page described the schoolgirl as a “beautiful, kind and talented soul” whose death left her parents “heartbroken beyond belief”.
“Sharon was the apple of her parents’ eye and having her taken so suddenly from them during these events has caused unimaginable pain and grief that no parent should have to endure,” it said.
Six people were missing after a slip at Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mauao last Thursday struck the campsite’s toilet and shower block, knocking over campervans and tents.
The missing were named by police on Saturday as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50; Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20; Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71; Susan Doreen Knowles, 71; Sharon Maccanico, 15; and Max Furse-Kee, 15.
Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review, and now the Govt has signalled stepping in too. (Source: 1News)
The first victim of the landslip was formally identified on Wednesday as Sharon Maccanico’s boyfriend Max Furse-Kee.
The second victim was formally identified yesterday as Swedish tourist Måns Loke Bernhardsson.
The third victim was formally identified this afternoon as Morrinsville teacher Lisa Anne Maclennan.
Police earlier said the search would be moving to a “recovery phase” after human remains were found the day after the landslip.
Recovery efforts for the victims resumed on Thursday afternoon after an hours-long pause brought on by concerns about land movement.