Man charged with manslaughter over disappearance of Jason Butler

Friday 17 October 2025 · 7 outlets · 6 reports · updated Fri 17 Oct 2025, 8:47pm

In this story Whakatāne Hospital

A 57-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in relation to the 2021 disappearance of Jason Butler. Butler went missing in the Raukūmara Ranges after being taken into the bush for unapproved work experience. The charge follows a long investigation into his disappearance from the Ōmāio area.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldFri 17 Oct 2025, 10:56am

   Man charged with manslaughter over 2021 disappearance of Jason Butler (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsFri 17 Oct 2025, 11:10am

   Charge laid over disappearance of Jason Butler – family issues plea (opens in new tab)

   • Manslaughter charge over disappearance of Jason Butler four years ago (opens in new tab) Fri 17 Oct 2025, 11:10am
3. StuffFri 17 Oct 2025, 11:15am

   Man charged in disappearance of Jason Butler (opens in new tab)

4. RNZFri 17 Oct 2025, 11:43am

   Man charged with manslaughter over disappearance of Jason Butler (opens in new tab)

5. Waikato Times via The PostFri 17 Oct 2025, 8:47pm

   Manslaughter charge four years after man’s disappearance (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)