Key Takeaways
- Jeremy Robertson has been identified as the sole person of interest in the death of his mother, Karen Gilbert‑Palmer.
- After her death he travelled to the Green and Blue Lakes area near Rotorua; his car was later found abandoned there.
- Police report no bank‑account or mobile‑phone activity since his arrival and no evidence he was living rough in the area.
- Given the lack of activity and the passage of time, investigators consider it most likely that Robertson died shortly after reaching the lakes.
- The investigation remains active, with further concentrated searches planned and a public appeal for any sightings or information.
- Family messages reveal Robertson’s mental‑health struggles and escalating behaviour in the weeks before his mother’s death.
Introduction and Case Overview
The disappearance of Jeremy Robertson has become a focal point for New Zealand police after the death of his mother, Karen Gilbert‑Palmer, on 15 October 2025. Robertson, who was living with his mother at the time, left their home in Pahīatua shortly after her death and travelled south to the Green and Blue Lakes area near Rotorua. Since his arrival, there has been no trace of him, prompting a sustained search operation and a public appeal for information.
Police Identification of Jeremy Robertson as Person of Interest
Detective Senior Sergeant Thompson, speaking on behalf of the investigation team, stated that Robertson was “quickly identified as a person of interest” following the initial inquiries into Gilbert‑Palmer’s death. Thompson later confirmed that “Jeremy is considered the only person of interest in this matter, and that nobody else is being sought.” This singular focus has directed all investigative resources toward understanding Robertson’s movements and possible fate.
Movements After Mother’s Death and Discovery of Abandoned Vehicle
According to police reports, Robertson departed the Pahīatua area shortly after his mother’s death, travelling by car to the Green and Blue Lakes region. His vehicle was later discovered abandoned in that area, but despite an extensive search of the surrounding bush and lakeshore, officers were unable to locate him. The abandoned car became a key piece of evidence, indicating that he had reached the lakes but then vanished from sight.
Lack of Financial or Digital Activity and Search Efforts
Since Robertson’s arrival in the Green and Blue Lakes area, there has been no activity on his bank accounts or mobile phone, and investigators have found no evidence to suggest he was living rough or sheltering in the vicinity. This digital and financial silence has intensified concerns about his wellbeing. Police have deployed specialist search teams, including canine units and drones, to comb the terrain, yet the absence of any recent trace has complicated the operation.
Police Assessment of Likely Scenario and Commitment to Closure
Taking into account the lack of activity, the passage of time, and the exhaustive search conducted so far, Thompson advised that “the most likely scenario is that he died shortly after arriving in the Green and Blue Lakes area.” He emphasized that the police remain “committed” to finding Robertson if possible, stating that the primary goal is to provide the closure that Karen Gilbert‑Palmer’s family and loved ones deserve.
Public Assistance and Ongoing Search Plans
The investigation team expressed gratitude toward local Rotorua staff and members of the public who have contributed information and possible sightings. Thompson announced that, with continued community support, further searching will be planned in a “smaller, more concentrated section” of the Green and Blue Lakes area, utilising specialist search teams and equipment. The police also reiterated their appreciation for anyone who has come forward with tips, urging continued vigilance.
Background on Jeremy Robertson’s Mental Health History
Earlier reporting by RNZ revealed that Robertson had a known history with mental‑health services. His mother, Gilbert‑Palmer, had indicated that he struggled with substance use and behavioural issues, which appeared to fluctuate over time. This background has been relevant to understanding his state of mind in the weeks leading up to his mother’s death and his subsequent disappearance.
Family Communications Revealing Behavioral Changes
Barbara Evans, Gilbert‑Palmer’s niece and adopted daughter, shared a series of messages she exchanged with her aunt in the days preceding the tragedy. Evans, who reconnected with Gilbert‑Palmer and her grandparents roughly thirty years ago, described Robertson’s behaviour as “escalating” in the weeks before the incident. The messages provide a window into the family’s concerns and observations.
Details of Gilbert‑Palmer’s Messages to Niece Barbara Evans
On 8 October 2025, a week before her death, Gilbert‑Palmer messaged Evans: “I tell u wat, he was better when he was on the drugs and vape, more chilled out. More aggressive now. [sic]” She noted that her son was “dead against drugs now.” The following day, she wrote that Robertson “has been nice for one day, now back to wat [sic] he was,” and later added that he “can be so nasty at times.” Gilbert‑Palmer expressed a wish that Evans lived closer so she could spend a few days with her son. Later that evening she reported that he had “settled down.”
Timeline of Events Leading Up to October 15, 2025
On 12 October, Gilbert‑Palmer told Evans that Robertson intended to travel to Rotorua by bus on the 15th, stating: “He decided on his own, to much stuff going on down here, having a go at people verbally.” She said she would “fill in” her niece once Robertson was gone; that message was the last Evans received from her aunt. In September, Gilbert‑Palmer had mentioned that Robertson was back home living with her because there was “nowhere for him to go,” noting that a prior stay in Feilding had ended after he was “rude” to people there and “out does his stay.” Evans said she felt “absolutely devastated” upon learning of her aunt’s death.
Appeal for Information and Contact Details
Police are asking anyone who believes they have seen Jeremy Robertson, or who possesses any other information not yet provided, to contact them via 105 and quote file number 251015/6286. Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111. The investigative team stresses that, while they consider it strongly likely Robertson died shortly after arriving at the lakes, they still wish to hear from anyone who may have seen him after 15 October 2025 or who holds any detail that could aid the investigation.
Conclusion and Reflection on Investigation
The case of Jeremy Robertson remains open, with law‑enforcement balancing a somber likelihood of tragedy against the hope of locating him alive. The combination of digital silence, an abandoned vehicle, and family‑reported behavioural shifts paints a complex picture of a man struggling with mental‑health challenges. As police prepare more focused searches and continue to appeal for public assistance, the overarching aim stays clear: to bring answers and peace to the grieving family of Karen Gilbert‑Palmer while ensuring that every possible lead is thoroughly examined.