9 Jul 2024

Injuries of 4-year-old Alestra Kepa-Hati in weeks before her death revealed

11:24 am on 9 July 2024
Auckland, New Zealand - December 24, 2020: Close up of a New Zealand police officer's uniform and badge

Photo: 123RF

Police have revealed a four-year-old child who died in Northland almost nine years ago had suffered a broken arm, broken pelvis and two separate head injuries.

Four-year-old Alestra Kepa-Hati's death in 2015 was treated as unexplained at the time but is now under police investigation.

Alestra Kepa-Hati Photo: Supplied

Police reignited their investigation into the October 2015 unexplained death of 4-year-old girl Alestra Kepa-Hati last week.

Detective Sergeant Natalie Syddall, of the Northland CIB, said Alestra's injuries occurred in the two weeks before her death, when she was living with caregivers in rural Kaikohe.

Northland police were continuing to speak to two people of interest to the investigation, but wanted to hear from anyone who had seen Alestra, or had any involvement with her or her two younger siblings, after 28 August 2015.

According to information gathered so far, that was the last day the pre-schooler had been seen by anyone other than her caregivers.

At that time she was said to have been uninjured and healthy.

Syddall said injuries like those suffered by the four-year-old did not just happen.

"It is likely someone knows something or has seen something and that's why we need the community's help. It's been nearly nine years since Alestra's death. Allegiances change over time, and now is the time to do the right thing by this innocent child."

Syddall said information could be provided in person at a local police station, or by calling the 105 reporting line and quoting file number 151003/8395.

Information could also be passed on anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111