Grace Millane murder: New Zealand police find body believed to be missing British backpacker

‘It is an unbearable time for the Millane family’

A body believed to be that of missing British backpacker Grace Millane has been discovered by police in New Zealand.

“Based on the evidence we have gathered over the past few days we expect that this is Grace,” said Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City police, although he added that the body was yet to be formally identified.

A 26-year-old man has been charged with her murder and is expected to appear at Auckland District Court later this week.

Ms Millane, 22, was last seen on 1 December, the day before her birthday, at the Citylife Hotel in central Auckland, with a “male companion”.

She arrived in New Zealand from Peru on 20 November and had been in near-daily contact with her family.

Police in New Zealand received a missing person report on Wednesday.

By Saturday night detectives had identified a “location of interest” on Scenic Drive, a country road 12 miles west of central Auckland.

Police officers discovered the body around 10m from the roadside, Mr Beard said.

A stretch of the road nearby was closed on Sunday afternoon while forensics officers scoured the area.

Two tents were erected at the site and investigators wearing white overalls were seen nearby.

Detectives speaking on Saturday said that some of Ms Millane’s property was missing from the room she was living in.

Her passport, pink watch and a necklace were among the missing items, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Grace Millane had been in regular contact with her family (Michael Millane)

The body was discovered near the Waitakere Reservoir and dam, a beauty spot with hiking trails.

Detectives are also examining a red Toyota Corolla hatchback, hired from a central Auckland car firm on 2 December.

“Obviously this brings the search for Grace to an end,” Mr Beard said. “It is an unbearable time for the Millane family and our hearts go out to them.”

The backpacker graduated from the University of Lincoln in September and had embarked on a year-long worldwide trip.

David Millane, Ms Millane’s father, is in Auckland. He previously described her as a “lovely, outgoing, fun-loving” daughter.

Additional reporting by agencies