A body discovered near the Waikato River in Hamilton on Sunday was that of missing Kawhia man Trevor Smith, his family say.
The 70-year-old was found by a member of the public near the river's edge three weeks after he wandered off while visiting a sick relative in Waikato Hospital. The last confirmed sighting of Mr Smith, who had mild dementia and diabetes, was on Peacockes Rd - a short walk from the area where his body was found.
Rotorua engineer Peter Low was among the up to 50 people searching every day. He is stepfather to Mr Smith's grandchildren. He posted a message on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page thanking everyone for their support.
"Thank you to all those who took the time to keep an eye out for missing man Trevor Smith," Mr Low wrote on Sunday evening.
"He was found this afternoon in Hamilton. Unfortunately he had passed away."