Body of Kiwi man ‘Papa Shane’ missing in Sydney found

The body of Kiwi man and full-time koro “Papa Shane” has been found.

Shane Matthews, 55, was last seen in Sydney’s south-west at Campbelltown about 12.15am on Thursday October 19, a New South Wales police spokesperson said.

“When he could not be located or contacted, officers from Campbelltown Police Area Command were notified who commenced enquiries into his whereabouts.”

The spokesperson said around 7.30pm on Friday, October 27, a body was located in bushland at Ingleburn.

“Although yet to be formally identified, the body is believed to be that of the missing man.

“There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.”

Matthews’ son Jordan Maana said it wasn’t the outcome the family – in both New Zealand and Australia and who had been praying and appealing for information – had hoped for.

Maana did not have specific details, but was hoping to get more information following official identification.

A GoFundMe page had been set up to help fund Matthews return to New Zealand “where he will be laid to rest and also allow us to focus on healing after this devastating loss”.

“Papa Shane is loved by many and his legacy will be remembered forever,” it said.

Maana said he moved to Australia at the beginning of 2007, and his brothers followed. His mum and dad moved over at the end of the same year.

But he said his dad’s health took a turn when his mum died in 2016.

“That was a massive blow for dad and that’s pretty much when I knew as a son I had to be there for him more.”

Matthews moved in with Maana and his wife in Sutherland Shire, Sydney, at the end of 2018.

He helped “big time”, Maana said.

They had a young family, and Matthews would help when Maana was at work.

“Dad has always been known as that type of man, good with the kids and everyone’s kids love him, something about him that kids gravitate towards.”

He had always been a stay-at-home dad looking after his kids’ moko, or those of other family or family friends’.

“He is what you call a full-time koro,” Maana said.

He said his dad went missing after being interviewed by police about some “allegations”. He didn’t know what they were, but said his dad was interviewed, questioned and let go around midnight on a Wednesday night.

Maana gave police staff his phone number and took his father’s belongings when he went in for questioning.

“Unfortunately, once dad was released, the officers involved failed to call me to pick him up, and he was released with no wallet, no money, no phone, absolutely nothing.”

Maana hadn’t seen him since.