Fifteen-year-old landslide victim Sharon Maccanico was wearing a silver bracelet from the “love of her life” when she died.
A Coroner’s Court victim identification hearing today heard the silver-link bracelet, with the inscription “Max”, helped play a role in her formal identification.
The teen was holidaying at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park with her family and boyfriend Max Furse-Kee when the deadly landslide hit.
Both Pakūranga College students were killed.
In a statement released this afternoon, Sharon’s parents, Natallia and Carmine, said their hearts were “broken” following the death of their “beautiful daughter”.
They said the teen was very well respected and had a great sense of humour.
“One year ago, Sharon met the love of her life, Max. They very quickly formed a strong relationship.
“Max became a treasured part of our family, and he looked after Sharon and made her feel so special.”
Six people were killed when the landslide came down on the Pilot Bay side of the campground, carrying with it tents, caravans and structures on January 22.
Victim identification hearings
This week victim identification hearings have been held in the Tauranga District Court, including one this afternoon for Sharon.
Coroner Louella Dunn heard evidence from Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths about the forensic examination of a body that was believed to be Sharon.
The primary identifier was a comparison of ante-mortem dental records and a post-mortem examination done by a forensic odontologist.
The secondary identifiers related to information gathered from her family.
This included her height, weight, build, hair colour and the jewellery she was wearing at the time.
One of the items of jewellery was a silver-link bracelet with the inscription “Max”.
Coroner Dunn said she considered the presented evidence sufficient and reliable in establishing that the body was Sharon’s.
She extended her condolences to the teenager’s family, friends and school, and acknowledged that at just 15 years of age, she had died in “tragic and unimaginable circumstances”.
‘Loved by all’
Sharon’s parents said she was born in Italy, moved to Australia at 3 and then to New Zealand at 8.
She had a passion for dance and would practise for hours every day, participating in seven solo competitions, all of which she won.
Last year, she also won an international competition in Belarus.
“We gave her all the support we could and were so proud to watch her work towards achieving her dreams.
“We had the most amazing relationship with Sharon. From the day she was born, she was loved by all.”
Sharon was particularly close to her mother and had a strong bond with her older sister in Belarus. She was also popular at school, where her teacher described her as the “heart of the class because of her strong energy”.
“She made so many people happy and touched so many lives.”
The teen was the fourth victim to be formally identified in Coroner’s Court proceedings.