Police believe a body found during a search warrant at a central Christchurch property this morning is missing 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth, who was last seen more than a month ago.
Officers found the body at a house on Hereford St. Formal identification was ongoing.
Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said the death was being unexplained, with a post-mortem examination to be carried out tomorrow.
Braydon was last seen at the Z Energy service station in Linwood, in Christchurch’s east, on September 3. A search warrant had been carried out at his last known address in Linwood last Friday.
Anderson said police were providing his whānau with support at this “extremely difficult time”.
“This is a devastating outcome for his family, and our hearts go out to them. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, there is a small comfort in being able to bring him home.”
Anderson said today’s warrant was one of several police had executed as part of the search, which they described as a “significant operation” involving a number of dedicated staff.
Investigators are now working to confirm Braydon’s movements and are speaking with a number of people who are assisting their enquiries.
“It is early in the investigation, and it will take time to build a clear picture of what has occurred,” Anderson said.
A scene guard remains at the Hereford Street property, and police expect to be at the address for several days.
Police are asking anyone with information about Braydon’s movements, or anything else that could help the investigation, to contact them online at 105.police.govt.nz using “update report”, or by calling 105. Quote the reference number 260918/8420.
Further details would be released when available, police added.
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