A body believed to be that of missing British backpacker Grace Millane has been found near a beauty spot just outside Auckland in New Zealand.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with the murder of the 22-year-old and is due to appear at Auckland District Court tomorrow (Monday).
Speaking at the scene on Sunday, Detective Inspector Beard said investigators had ‘located a body which we believe to be Grace’ at around 10am.
“The formal identification process will now take place, however based on the evidence we have gathered over the past few days we expect that this is Grace,” he said.
“Obviously this brings the search for Grace to an end. It is an unbearable time for the Millane family and our hearts go out to them.”
Det Insp Beard said that investigators are looking at a hire car as part of the investigation.
The red Toyota Corolla was hired from an Auckland rental firm on December 2, the day after Grace was last seen alive.
The last confirmed sighting of Grace was just before 10pm on December 1 at a hotel in central Auckland, when she was seen with a ‘male companion.’
Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen the car to come forward.
Absolutely devastating, all my love to the family of #GraceMillane ? https://t.co/5mngEYFvMg
— Madeleine CaseTweets? (@McCannCaseTweet) December 9, 2018
I have travelled the world on my own. Sometimes, I met danger, mostly I found companionship. Sometimes, you’re lonely. None of this warrants death. #GraceMillane was exceedingly unlucky but she was not at fault. The murderer is the one to accuse, not Grace
— Carol Drinkwater (@Carol4OliveFarm) December 9, 2018
Since arriving in New Zealand from Peru on November 20, Grace had been in near-daily contact with her family.
A major search campaign was set in motion after Grace lost contact with her family.
Grace’s father, David travelled to Auckland to make a public appeal for help in finding his daughter.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic developments following the appeal for Grace Millane who went missing in New Zealand last week. Our thoughts are with Grace’s loved ones at this extremely difficult time & request they are given the space & privacy they currently need
— Missing People (@missingpeople) December 9, 2018
Absolute rubbish to suggest that #GraceMillane should not have been travelling alone, there are deranged psychopaths in every country including country she lived in (UK), people can’t be expected to just hide themselves away for fear of the outdoors
— Chris Thompson (@F1CWT) December 9, 2018
Grace Millane’s brother Declan posts heartbreaking tribute to murdered backpacker sister, 22, as body is found in New Zealand https://t.co/yhiXLAoIve pic.twitter.com/66VUBMQLRd
— thegirlsun (@thegirlsun21) December 9, 2018
