Six people were unaccounted for after the landslide, and a rescue operation commenced.
However, that soon became a recovery operation, which remains ongoing, as Disaster Victim Identification and Search and Rescue teams work to recover the remains of those lost.
Identification hearings have been underway since Wednesday evening, with the first victim formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.
Today, in the Tauranga District Court, Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths presented evidence to Coroner Janet Anderson about the forensic analysis that could establish Knowles’ identity as a victim of the landslide.
This included forensic odontology, which is focused on ante-mortem dental records compared to the post-mortem examination of the teeth and jaw, and DNA profiling evidence obtained from family members.
These were the primary forms of identification.
The secondary forms of identification included physical characteristics – including her age, height, build – and her jewellery.
Coroner Anderson said, having considered the evidence, she was satisfied it was sufficient and reliable in establishing Knowles’ identity.
She acknowledged Knowles’ family and their “tremendous loss”.
“I know that your hearts will be breaking,” Coroner Anderson said.
She concluded her determination by extending her sincere condolences to Knowles’ family and friends.
In a Facebook post by Eves Rotorua last weekend, colleagues expressed devastation by the news of Knowles’ death in the landslide.
The post said Knowles was a valued member of the property management team and “an integral part of our wider community”.
“She was known for her kindness and care for those around her, and her loss will be felt by many.”
A profile on the Eves website said she enjoyed horse riding and mountain biking, along with spending time with her close-knit family.
In April 2023, Knowles was hailed as a hero when she saved the life of her 5-year-old granddaughter, who was being attacked by a dog.
Recovery teams making ‘good progress’
Meanwhile, police say recovery teams working at Mount Maunganui have made good progress in recent days, but there is still a lot of work to do.
“Due to the nature of the work being undertaken, we do not have a timeline on when work will be complete,” Superintendent Tim Anderson said on Friday afternoon.
“We are here for those grieving and for the families that have lost loved ones in this tragedy.
“The teams on scene are doing a great job at looking after each other, and we all want to reunite families with their loved ones.”
Hannah Bartlett is a Tauranga-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She previously covered court and local government for the Nelson Mail, and before that was a radio reporter at Newstalk ZB.
