Jude Coxhead: Missing mum found dead at waterfall

Jude Coxhead‘s family reported her missing after she left her Tauranga home on August 12.

A huge search and rescue mission was launched after the 62-year-old’s gold-coloured Nissan Tida was found near a walking track near Wairere Falls, about 173km south of Auckland on the country’s North Island.

Waikato police Senior Sergeant, Aaron Fraser said on Tuesday that officers had located Ms Coxhead, Stuff reported.

Police said she was found “below the waterfall” but not at the base of the waterfall.

“There are no suspicious circumstances in relation to the death, which will be referred to the Coroner,” Waikato Police said in a statement.

“Police would like to thank the members of the public who provided information which assisted in locating the woman. Police extend our condolences to the family.”

A jacket and shoes had earlier been found at the top of Wairere Falls that were believed to have belonged to Ms Coxhead.

Ms Coxhead’s son, Luke Coxhead, was at the search site on Tuesday before his mother’s body was found. He thanked emergency crew taking part in the search.

“All I want to say is just thank you to the emergency services and crew searching,” he said.

“We’re really grateful”.

Friends of Ms Coxhead had appealed to the public to help in the search, describing her as a “sweetie” and “a bubbly lovely person”.

Olympic showjumper Lucy Olphert revealed that Ms Coxhead was a family friend.

“Jude was my darling neighbour growing up and is very special to our family,” she said.

Another friend described Ms Coxhead as a “strong capable woman with a loving and supportive nature”.