Recovered Body Thought to Be Missing Student

New Zealand Police National News Release
12:22pm 17 August 2006
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=2576

Police divers have recovered a body believed to be that of Victoria University student Daniel Hansman who went missing a week ago today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter, Wellington CIB, said clothing and other items indicate that the body is that of the 19-year-old student. Police need to be 100 percent sure however and a formal identification is to be made.

"We have advised Daniel's parents that we believe the body is that of their son, and they are working with us to confirm identity."

Divers working off the police launch Lady Elizabeth III found the body at 9.05am today in 10m of water, in an area between the Overseas Passenger Terminal and a breakwater.

They had only been in the water a short time at the start of a planned search for Daniel from the Overseas Passenger Terminal to Queen's wharf. The body was recovered late this morning and taken by the police launch to the Maritime Unit base.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter said the coroner has been advised and the body is now at Wellington Hospital Mortuary for formal identification and a post mortem which will take place tomorrow.

Search and Rescue and Specialist Search Group officers had today been combing the central city and routes Daniel might have taken to his flat in Everton Terrace, Kelburn, when he was last seen by friends in Courtenay Place about 11.30pm last Thursday. The search teams have now been stood down.

ENDS

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