Ōtorohanga skeletal remains: Close friend speaks out on missing person Col Heath

They were last seen in Te Kūiti.

Colin Heath has been missing since March 2022.

Police have not formally disclosed that the skeletal remains are Heath’s – nor have they detailed a cause of death.

The body was discovered by a farmer and a group of weed controllers in an area of privet bush near State Highway 3 between Ōtorohanga and Te Awamutu late last week.

Bailey says she felt “incredibly relieved” and “deeply angry” by the discovery, which she says was in the “nominated places” that various theories had placed Heath’s last location as.

Bailey questioned why that area hadn’t been searched before.

It had been suggested that Heath may have simply been part of a freedom camp.

“And that wasn’t true, and we all knew that that wasn’t true. And it turns out that no, they didn’t throw their phone away and walk into the bush somewhere. They were right there, right there. And that is infuriating,” Bailey said.

“My question for police is did they search that area or not? And if not, why not? Because their body was found in what we believe is the middle of the cellular corridor for the last cell tower Col’s phone pinged from.”

There has never been a memorial held for Heath and those close to him had expressed little hope of ever recovering their body. The discovery came almost four years to the day that Heath disappeared.

“Our assumption was that Col was experiencing mental distress, and our belief was that they would have walked deep into the bush and taken their own life,” Bailey said.

“So based on that obvious scenario, most of us came to terms with the idea that Col’s body would never be found. So frankly this is, in a way, unexpected.”

Bailey says her friend enjoyed the “vibe” of a protest – but they were against violence.

She remembers her friend as gentle and kind.

“Deeply passionate about how to create change in the world at a really high level. A deep thinker and somebody who was worth a hell of a lot more than they thought they were.”

Where to get help:

Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)Youth services: (06) 3555 906• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234What’s Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)Aoake te Rā – Free, brief therapeutic support service for those bereaved by suicide. Call 0800 000 053.• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111