There was information police could not share for security reasons and to avoid jeopardising the case, he added.
The most recent police appeal focused on sightings of a 2012 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute with no registration plates, an orange hazard light on the roof, and aluminium dog cages on the back.
Police investigating the death of Joanna Sione-Lauaki have appealed for sightings of this Toyota Hilux ute. Photo / NZ Police
Police previously said they believed the vehicle was in the area where the 38-year-old’s body was discovered.
The alarm was raised after Sione-Lauaki’s husband, Jared, discovered a text message from her saying “Help”.
The message had been sent sometime between the night before her death and 5.15am on the day her body was found.
Because his phone was on flight mode, he did not see the message immediately.
He told the Herald in 2024 that he believed somebody else must have been involved.
“Because I know my wife. She sent me a text that just said, ‘Help’, and my wife would never send me a text unless it was something very serious.”
As soon as he saw the message, he called her, but there was no reply. He went to work, then at 9.30am picked up his daughter and together they searched for Sione-Lauaki.
After coming up empty-handed, they reported her missing to police.
By that afternoon, her body was found by a member of the public.
Five days after she was found, more than 200 people gathered at Schnapper Rock Crematorium Chapel in Auckland to farewell the mother of eight, described by Jared as “vibrant and beautiful”.
An autopsy later revealed Sione-Lauaki had been the victim of foul play.
Detective Inspector Al Symonds appealed to the public for help to find items of clothing of homicide victim Jo Sione-Lauaki. Photo / Sarah Curtis
In a press conference shortly after Sione-Lauaki’s death, police appealed for information about her missing clothing, which consisted of a white Nike T-shirt with a red tick, black or dark-grey Everlast trousers, and red Adidas scuffs.
A week later, police appealed for sightings of a man believed to be the last person to see her alive.
He was 1.90 metres tall, in his late 30s and of European complexion, with green eyes, a beard and sandy-coloured hair.
Crawford thanked those who had come forward and engaged with police so far.
Anyone with information should call police on 105, quoting file number 240803/9062.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.