Key Takeaways
- Karen Gilbert‑Palmer, 74, was found dead at her Pahīatua home in October 2025 by a friend who could not reach her.
- Police launched a homicide investigation and identified her son, Jeremy Robertson, as the sole person of interest.
- Robertson left the Pahīatua area shortly after his mother’s death, traveling to the Green and Blue Lakes area near Rotorua; his car was later found abandoned there.
- No activity on his bank accounts or mobile phone has been detected since his arrival, leading police to believe he most likely died soon after reaching the area.
- Despite this assessment, police continue focused searches and urge the public to come forward with any sightings or information.
- Family members, especially his aunt Barbara Evans, reported escalating behavioural issues and mental‑health struggles in the weeks before the death.
- Robertson had a history of mental‑health service use, had previously been asked to leave other accommodations, and was living with his mother at the time of her death.
- The investigation remains open, with police committed to providing closure for Gilbert‑Palmer’s family and thanking the community for its cooperation.
Discovery of Karen Gilbert‑Palmer’s Death
On a routine check‑in in October 2025, a friend of Karen Gilbert‑Palmer entered her Pahīatua residence after being unable to make contact and discovered the 74‑year‑old woman deceased. The friend promptly alerted authorities, prompting an immediate response from local police. Initial examinations at the scene indicated no obvious signs of accidental injury, leading investigators to treat the case as suspicious from the outset. The discovery triggered a formal homicide investigation, with officers securing the property and beginning to gather evidence that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding her death.
Police Investigation and Identification of Jeremy Robertson
Following the discovery, detectives conducted a thorough inquiry, interviewing neighbours, reviewing surveillance footage, and analysing forensic evidence. Throughout the process, Jeremy Robertson, the deceased’s son, emerged as the focal point of the investigation. Police publicly confirmed that Robertson was “quickly identified as a person of interest” and emphasized that he remained the only individual under scrutiny, with no other suspects being sought. This determination was based on a combination of circumstantial evidence, witness statements, and the nature of the relationship between Robertson and his mother.
Jeremy Robertson’s Movements After the Death
After his mother’s passing, Robertson reportedly left the Pahīatua area and drove toward the Green and Blue Lakes district near Rotorua. His vehicle was later located abandoned in that vicinity, but despite an extensive search of the surrounding terrain, officers were unable to locate him personally. The abandonment of the car raised immediate concerns about his wellbeing, prompting investigators to consider a range of possibilities, including voluntary disappearance, an accident, or foul play. The lack of any subsequent sightings or communication deepened the mystery surrounding his fate.
Police Assessment of Likely Fate
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson, the area investigations manager, stated that since Robertson’s arrival in the Green and Blue Lakes area, there had been no recorded activity on his bank accounts or mobile phone, nor any evidence suggesting he was living rough in the region. Given the passage of time and the absence of any signs of life, police concluded that the most plausible scenario was that Robertson died shortly after reaching the area. Thompson stressed that while this assessment reflected the current weight of evidence, the investigation remained open to new information that could alter the conclusion.
Ongoing Search Efforts and Public Appeals
Despite the belief that Robertson may have perished, the investigative team affirmed its commitment to locating him if possible, in order to provide closure for Karen Gilbert‑Palmer’s family and loved ones. Police expressed gratitude to local Rotorua staff for their assistance and announced plans for a more concentrated search in a smaller section of the Green and Blue Lakes area, employing specialist search teams and advanced equipment. Authorities also renewed their appeal to the public, urging anyone who may have seen Robertson after 15 October 2025 or possessed relevant details to come forward, either through the non‑emergency police line or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
Family Insights and Mental Health Context
RNZ earlier reported that Robertson had a documented history of engagement with mental‑health services, a factor that featured prominently in family recollections. His aunt, Barbara Evans, shared a series of text messages exchanged with Gilbert‑Palmer in the days preceding the death. On 8 October, Gilbert‑Palmer wrote that her son had been “better when he was on the drugs and vape, more chilled out. More aggressive now,” noting his recent opposition to substance use. Subsequent messages depicted fluctuating behaviour—brief periods of niceness followed by returns to volatile outbursts—culminating in a statement that Robertson “can be so nasty at times.” These exchanges painted a picture of escalating tension and concern for the mother’s safety.
Background on Jeremy Robertson’s Living Situation
Evans further revealed that, in September, Gilbert‑Palmer had told her that Robertson had returned to live with her because he had “nowhere for him to go.” Prior to that, he had stayed in Feilding but was described as “rude” to locals and had overstayed his welcome. The mother’s comments indicated a struggle to accommodate her son’s needs while managing his challenging behaviour, ultimately resulting in him residing under her roof at the time of her death. This context underscored the complex dynamics within the household and the potential stressors that may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
Impact on Family and Closure
Barbara Evans described feeling “absolutely devastated” upon learning of her aunt’s death, highlighting the emotional toll the incident took on extended family members. The investigation’s ongoing nature, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Robertson’s fate, has prolonged the grieving process for those close to Gilbert‑Palmer. Police reiterated their dedication to achieving resolution, emphasizing that any effort to locate Robertson—whether alive or deceased—aims to bring the family the closure they deserve and to answer lingering questions about the events that transpired.
How the Public Can Help
Anyone who believes they have seen Jeremy Robertson after 15 October 2025, or who possesses any information that could assist the investigation, is encouraged to contact police by dialing 105 and referencing file number 251015/6286. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111. Authorities stress that even seemingly minor details may prove valuable in piecing together the timeline and determining what occurred in the aftermath of Karen Gilbert‑Palmer’s death.