The Lost 02 | Judith Yorke

Shannel Yorke struggles to remember her mother, Judith, who disappeared in 1992, and retired cop Alan Collin talks of his determination to find peace for the family.This series was first released on 10 November 2017Watch a video segment from the episode hereAt least one of about 30 people is believed to hold the key to the disappearance of mother-of-two Judith Yorke 25 years ago.The 25-year-old, known as Judy, was last seen at an orchard shed, where she was partying with about 30 others in Matapihi on October 21, 1992. Police believe she was killed. All the party-goers were interviewed. One of them became the main suspect. For the first time, that person is revealed in the RNZ podcast The Lost as Aaron Komene.But police have never gone back to the party-goers despite believing some never completely told the truth - and Judy has yet to be found. Judy's daughter Shannel Yorke told RNZ's The Lost it was time the police re-interview witnesses to find out what happened to her mother.Shannel was just shy of her fourth birthday when Judy went missing, so remembers very little about her."Certain perfumes I smell remind me of her, but no real memories," she says. "I do hope that one day we do find her. I'm still hopeful. I know it's a long shot, but I guess there is still hope."Alan Collin was the lead investigator when Judy went missing in 1992. He has since retired from the police, but says solving her disappearance is still important to him.He was called in 14 days after Judy was last seen at Matapihi and immediately launched a homicide investigation.Judy had dropped off Shannel with her parents in Te Puke and gone out to a hotel in Mount Maunganui. She went out with her former partner's brother, Aaron Komene. Mr Collin says the pair were sleeping together.About 11pm, Judy, Aaron and four others headed to Matapihi in her car. They had planned to go to a marae, but it was closed so headed to the orchard shed known to have music and booze.Judy was last seen there between 1am and 2.30am. When the group she'd arrived with didn't find her, they left in her car without her. Her muddied shoes were found a day later.The police interviewed the party-goes about Judy's last whereabouts. Mr Collin doesn't believe everyone told the truth. There were so many inconsistencies, the police went back and interviewed them again. He says the people in the Judy's car before and after the party, including Aaron Komene, were looked at closely.When asked why Aaron was a suspect, Mr Collin says the police look for motive and opportunity, and jealousy is a strong motive…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details