A photo of Mitchell Cole that was released by police. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Friends of the couple who died in a double homicide in the central North Island said residents of the small community were shocked by the loss of good, genuine people.
The dead couple are sheep farmers Brendon and Trina Cole, the father and stepmother of Mitchell Cole, who police want to speak in relation to the killings.
A friend, who wanted to remain anonymous, says they learnt that the couple were found dead at their Murumumu Road property on Saturday.
They said the couple helped everyone and they would be much missed.
The friend said Trina Cole was well-known in the dog breeding community, particularly for her work to improve neapolitan mastiff breeding lines.
Several tributes for the couple were shared on Facebook by people in the dog breeding community that Trina was a part of, including from the page Dellaforte Neapolitan Mastiffs NZ.
"Dellaforte Neapolitan Mastiffs NZ wish to pass on their deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Trina Coles' family and friends for her and her husband's sudden and unnecessary taking recently, such a massive tragedy for everyone. It truly is a huge loss to the Neapolitan community in NZ with the loss of such a well respected friend, ambassador & breeder," it said.
The post said that "Trina was a lovely lady who was warm and compassionate" and that she would be "sorely missed".
On Guard Kennels also shared on Facebook that Trina Cole was like a family member to them.
"Some people come into your life and quietly become part of your family without sharing your blood. That's who Trina was. She never judged, never looked down on people - she treated people with nothing but genuine respect.
"What made her truly special was her huge sense of humour and her massive heart. She said things how they were - no games, no fake nonsense. If you showed her respect, she gave it straight back. She made up her own mind and never got dragged into other people's drama. She was strong, fair, and loyal."
Meanwhile, police are looking for the owner of a parked up quad bike and trailer as part of their search for a person of interest in relation to the double homicide.
Police have been looking for 29-year-old Mitchell Cole since Saturday, after the couple's were found in Ruatiti near Ohakune.
Police have advised the public not to approach Cole and to call 111 if they see him.
Police Central District CIB field crime manager Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey said they were seeking information about the owner of a red quad bike and trailer.
"They are currently parked on Murumuru Road in an area known locally as the airstrip.
"If this quad and trailer are yours, or you know who they belong to, please tell us."
The Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka tracks have also been closed while police searched the area, and hunters were being asked to keep out.
Police are also appealing for anyone with useful information to report it online and click 'Update Report', or by calling 105, using the reference number 251213/6207.
The area police were focusing on was very remote, with a number of huts, lodges, and camps, Bouterey said.
"Police's appeal to the public is for anyone who has a hut or lodge in the wider Ruatiti area to please get in touch with us via 105.
"Also, if you have CCTV footage which covers roads in the area and you have not yet spoken to police, please let us know."
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