Iraena Te Rama Awhina Asher was a young woman who disappeared from Piha, New Zealand, on 11 October 2004. Suicide and foul play have been ruled out, and authorities believe she may have drowned in the sea amid a mental breakdown.
According to Asher's family, she has Bipolar Disorder. Her father, Mike Asher, went missing on 2 January 2023 and was found three days later. He is suspected to have died from a heart attack.
Case[]
At 9 pm on 11 October 2004, Iraena Asher called New Zealand's emergency number, stating she was concerned for her safety. Despite available police cars, the police chose instead to send a taxi, citing situations of people falsely calling 111 to get a free ride home. The cab was sent but went to another street on the incorrect side of town. Iraena was found sometime later by local couple Julia Woodhouse and Bobbie Carroll, who took her to their home for several hours. At 1:10 am, she left their home and was spotted walking towards Piha Beach, partly clothed. This is her last known sighting.
Sources[]
- Iraena Asher on Wikipedia
- NZ Herald (23 June 2012)
- NZ Herald (16 July 2012)