'She said she would be right back': Woman, 24, dies from a mysterious 'hit and run' just days after moving to new town – but her family claim the story doesn't stack up

  • Takotoroa Māreikura was found with critical injuries in middle of suburban street
  • The 24-year-old told her sister she was ducking out to shops but didn't return
  • Her sister, Lisa Herewini, said she does not believe Māreikura died in hit and run
  • Police are still investigating the incident that occurred in Hamilton, New Zealand 

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:43 EDT, 21 October 2018 | Updated: 06:43 EDT, 21 October 2018

A 24-year-old woman has died after she was found with critical injuries in the middle of a suburban street. 

Takotoroa Māreikura was mysteriously found in a Hamilton street, on New Zealand's North Island, at about 8pm on September 29 after 'ducking to the shops'.

The young woman, who had moved to Hamilton a week earlier, died in hospital on October 1 when her life support was switched off.

While police are still investigating Ms Māreikura's death, her older sister Lisa Herewini does not believe she died in a hit and run, the NZ Herald reported.

Takotoroa Māreikura (pictured) was mysteriously found in a Hamilton street, on New Zealand's North Island, at about 8pm on September 29 after 'ducking to the shops'

Takotoroa Māreikura (pictured) was mysteriously found in a Hamilton street, on New Zealand's North Island, at about 8pm on September 29 after 'ducking to the shops'

'It was meant to be a really great week for her. She'd just caught up with her sister who was the last (family member) to see her,' Herewini said. 

'She said she would be straight back and her bag and everything was left at her sister's and she never came back. She was found on the other side of town.' 

Herewini described Māreikura as intelligent, outgoing, and fun to be around.

According to Herewini, Māreikura was trying to figure things out by taking a gap year and moving to Hamilton in the week of her death.

She had worked in bars and restaurants and also worked as a hair and hand model.

Herewini said Māreikura's family was trying to come to terms with their loss. 

The young woman, who had moved to Hamilton a week earlier, died in hospital on October 1 when her life support was switched off (pictured: Charlemont Street, where Māreikura was found)

The young woman, who had moved to Hamilton a week earlier, died in hospital on October 1 when her life support was switched off (pictured: Charlemont Street, where Māreikura was found)

'That's all we're doing, is just coping. We sort of want some answers to give closure so the people responsible are held responsible for their actions, no matter what might have taken place,' she said.

There have been no arrests made, a police spokesman said.

Police had previously urged witnesses who were around Charlemont Street, Hamilton, between 7pm and 8pm to come forward with information, as they tried to piece together what happened to Māreikura. 

They also appealed for anyone who saw a silver station wagon around the area during the same time period. Earlier this week, police said they were no longer looking for the car.     

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‘She said she would be right back’: Woman, 24, dies just days after moving to new town

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