Jayleb-Che Dean: Tokoroa memorial walk marks one year since disappearance

Some wore green tribute T-shirts and wristbands and stickers were handed out with the words “Bring Jayleb Home” on them.

Dean’s family spoke of their heartbreak, telling the crowd of about 500 how they gathered every night during the past 365 days to pray for his return.

Dean disappeared on September 30 last year from hot pools south of Rotorua. He was 36.

He had connected with a man on a dating app, arranged to drive to Rotorua to pick him up before they drove to the Hot & Cold pools.

The last reported sighting of Dean was about 10.30pm that night, when he reportedly walked away up a stream.

The man he was with has spoken to police and said he messaged Dean and later looked for him when he did not return.

In a previous interview with the Rotorua Daily Post, he called the situation a “mystery” and said he was grateful for police support.

The man did not report Dean missing to police at the time.

Police were alerted to his disappearance on October 3, after Tokoroa Intermediate School raised concerns that he had not turned up to a kapa haka practice.

Police found Dean’s car near the pools on Waiotapu Loop Rd. An extensive search of bush, waterways and farmland involved air and land crews, dog teams, drones, friends and family.

Police called off the search at the end of October and said they did not believe foul play was involved.

Dean’s family believe otherwise. They have started a Givealittle page to raise money to pay for a private investigator to look into the case.

Last night Dean’s brother, Aaron Dean, became emotional when he addressed the crowd, having to pause to gather himself.

He said he wanted to remember his brother, not as a person who was missing but as the person he was.

“You see, Jay was a brother, a son, an uncle, he was a teacher and he was a friend. He was someone who had a personality, who was unique in his own way.”

He said he had his own laugh, a great sense of humour and a place in so many people’s lives.

“So tonight we are here because one year ago something changed us forever.”

Dean’s sister, Alia Cowley, said they were still hoping and waiting.

Cowley said the walk was for anyone carrying grief, to remind them they were not alone.

“Today we want to remind anyone who is grieving, hurting or going through a difficult time that you are not alone. Whatever brought you here today, you are not alone.”

Dean’s best friend, Tai Paio, said he had known Dean since 2000. They went to school together and both became teachers.

He described him as the backbone of the arts in Tokoroa, including being the chairman of a cultural festival committee and a South Waikato music festival.

“If there is one thing I can hand on heart say, that is he was unapologetically himself. He would also be the vibe, the fun. He was an all-round amazing person. Every space he filled, he would live like it was a party.”

Paio said the void and the unknown were a heartbreak that never went away.

“We are just gutted we don’t get to do a fun farewell for him. This, what we are doing tonight, will be us until we find that light again.”

Dean’s niece, Raqueul-Lamour Teaukura, 12, said she missed her uncle, especially because he was in charge of the Tokoroa choir for all schools.

“I miss that we didn’t get to finish the choir.”

Her mother, Tamara Teaukura, said her brother always knew when to comfort her.

“He knew my weak points and knew when to come to me.”

After the crowd walked the 2km track around Lake Moananui, Dean’s family released two large green balloons into the air.

They said they would do this every year on September 30 until they could finally bring him home.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for 30 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.