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'We believe this is Jayden': Two men charged with murder after body found

Author
Cherie Howie,
Publish Date
Sat, 13 Jan 2024, 4:21pm

'We believe this is Jayden': Two men charged with murder after body found

Author
Cherie Howie,
Publish Date
Sat, 13 Jan 2024, 4:21pm

A body believed to be that of missing teenager听Jayden Mamfredos-Nair听has been found, and two men have been charged with his murder, police say.

The body was found at a Dairy Flat property, said Detective Inspector Callum McNeill, of Waitemat膩 CIB.

鈥淲hile we still have to carry out formal identification procedures, from all of our enquiries to date we believe this is Jayden.鈥

Extensive searches took place at this Dairy Flat property last year, as police investigated the disappearance of Jayden Mamfredos-Nair.  Extensive searches took place at this Dairy Flat property last year, as police investigated the disappearance of Jayden Mamfredos-Nair.

Mamfredos-Nair was reported missing from听West Auckland听on April 24 last year, sparking a police investigation - which then turned into a homicide inquiry in August.

The 19-year-old had last been seen with two others at Birdwood Reserve in R膩nui three days earlier, McNeill said last year.

The teen got into a 2022 black Toyota Hilux, later searched by police.

Today, two men aged 26 were arrested and charged with Mamfredos-Nair鈥檚 murder. They鈥檙e expected to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday, McNeill said.

鈥淧olice are not ruling out further arrests in relation to this matter.鈥

As part of the homicide inquiry - dubbed Operation Violin - a Dairy Flat address was thoroughly searched by police in October.

Police search a property on Young Access Rd in Dairy Flat in October, six months after Jayden Mamfredos-Nair went missing.Police search a property on Young Access Rd in Dairy Flat in October, six months after Jayden Mamfredos-Nair went missing.

They were seen using a听ground scanning device, going over the driveway and grass. Police also sought the help of a body deposition expert who鈥檇 previously worked with the Australian Federal Police.

Further searching began at a Dairy Flat property on Wednesday, resulting in a body they believe to be Mamfredos-Nair being found, McNeill said.

鈥淭his now brings an end to the search for Jayden, which has been ongoing for more than eight months.

鈥淚 would like to acknowledge the absolute determination of the investigation team, who from day one has never given up in their work to locate Jayden and to bring about answers for his wh膩nau.鈥

Waitemat膩 CIB Detective Inspector Callum McNeill pictured speaking to media after the disappearance of Jayden Mamfredos-Nair last year. A body believed to be the 19-year-old has been found in Dairy Flat. Waitemat膩 CIB Detective Inspector Callum McNeill pictured speaking to media after the disappearance of Jayden Mamfredos-Nair last year. A body believed to be the 19-year-old has been found in Dairy Flat.

He also praised the public who鈥檇 shared information with police or shared their appeals since Mamfredos-Nair went missing.

When the homicide inquiry was announced in August,听Mamfredos-Nair鈥檚 distraught parents听were seen holding back tears as McNeill spoke to media.

鈥淲e just want him back ...Let鈥檚 get him back, dead or alive,鈥 Mamfredos-Nair鈥檚 mother said to media as she left the press conference.

Jayden Mamfredos-Nair, who disappeared from West Auckland last April. A body found in Dairy Flat this week is understood to be the teenager's, police say.Jayden Mamfredos-Nair, who disappeared from West Auckland last April. A body found in Dairy Flat this week is understood to be the teenager's, police say.

The investigation team鈥檚 鈥渢houghts and sympathies鈥 were with Jayden鈥檚 wh膩nau, McNeill said today.

鈥淭his has been a devastating ordeal for Jayden鈥檚 wh膩nau, who are still coming to terms with the loss they have suffered.

鈥淲e hope that this brings them some closure, in knowing that their boy can now be returned to them so he can be laid to rest.鈥

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.

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