The death of a juvenile girl whose charred bones were discovered in an abandoned vehicle has prompted a murder investigation.
The body of 18-year-old Ariki Rigby was discovered in a burned-out vehicle in Havelock North, New Zealand on September 3; police have now confirmed that the death is being investigated as a homicide.
Earlier this week, many family members thanked fans for their “love and care” on social media.
In a statement released on Thursday, Detective Inspector Dave De Lange of the New Zealand Officers stated that police were making significant progress and were following “strong lines of enquiry.”
The body of 18-year-old Ariki Rigby (pictured) was discovered in a burned-out automobile in Havelock North, New Zealand, on September 3, with police confirming that the death is being investigated as a homicide.
Her body was discovered in a mid-1990s Toyota that was taken to a parking lot between 10pm on September 2 and 7am on September 3. The car was so badly burned that at first, authorities mistook the body for that of a sheep.
The officer stated that investigators continue to work diligently to identify and punish those guilty for her killing.
He remarked, “We are working closely with Ariki’s family, who are crushed by her death.”
The police would like to talk with anyone who spoke with Rigby on September 2 in order to determine her whereabouts on that day.
Her body was discovered in a mid-1990s Toyota that was taken to a parking lot between 10pm on September 2 and 7am on September 3.
The cops initially mistook the victim’s body for that of a sheep due to the car’s extensive damage.
When police went to the area two days later in response to a dog walker’s call, they discovered what they believed to be human remains inside the truck.
Ms. Rigby’s body was not discovered until two days later, when police went to the scene after a dog walker alerted them to its location.
The man who discovered her, Kevin Monrad, expressed his hope that he had provided the family some relief.
Mr. Monrad told stuff.co.nz that he thinks about Ms. Rigby several times ‘every hour’ and that he plans to attend her funeral on Friday in order to get closure.
Mike Ngahuka, cousin of Ariki Rigby, stated that she would be remembered as a “lovely young lady” with “a free spirit.”
Mike Ngahuka, Rigby’s cousin, stated that she would be remembered as a “lovely young girl with a free spirit.”
“She lived her life to the fullest,” he told the journalists.
Mr. Ngahuka described her passing as “ugly” and “evil.”
We desire resolution after this. Our primary objective is to give our daughter a lovely and dignified send-off,’ he said.
I have no idea how anyone involved could live with themselves.