Body confirmed as Cem Erbay's

Cem Erbay (right), and his step-father Simon Mercep. Photos / Paul Estcourt, Supplied

The body found near Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula yesterday has been identified as that of missing teenager Cem Erbay.

The 19-year-old Auckland student was last seen at around 4am on Saturday morning.

His body was found yesterday in thick bush at an area locals call the duck pond, which is within walking distance of the Matarangi Shopping Centre.

Police spokesman Andrew McAlley says the Erbay family is understandably upset and have asked for privacy.

A post mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow and could shed some light on how he died.

The death is being treated as suspicious.

The body has now been removed from the scene.

Police are asking for anyone who may have seen Cem before he died to come forward.

Police are still appealing for information, especially from residents of Matarangi Rd or anyone who may have picked up a hitchhiker in the Coromandel over New Year.

Mr McAlley said Cem may have caught a ride with a stranger due to hilly and difficult terrain in the area.

Today, forensic experts and detectives returned to the area where the body was found and lay under guard overnight.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene of the Waikato CIB said a preliminary scene examination had been carried out.

"We are working towards completing the examination today, assisted by ESR forensic experts, to enable us to prepare the body for removal to Auckland where we hope a post-mortem examination can be completed tomorrow.

"Until those examinations have been done we are unable to complete the formal identity process however we are working along the lines that the man found in an area of scrub and bush off Matarangi Rd is Cem Erbay."

He said investigators were conscious there was a grieving family needing to see their loved one but said police had to balance that with maintaining the integrity of the scene and ensuring a thorough as possible examination was able to be completed.

"Over the period Cem was missing we received a number of sighting reports from the public that we're very grateful for. However we're still seeking information from the public who may have seen him, particularly early New Year's Day as we piece together his movements.

"We'd particularly like to hear from anyone who saw him, wearing jeans and a long sleeved white t-shirt, between Simpson's Beach and Matarangi."

He said the first likely sighting of Cem at Matarangi was about 7am and the last confirmed sightings were at the Matarangi store between 9-10am and a short time after this at an area known to locals as the Duck Pond.

Mr Erbay's heart condition made it dangerous for him to over-exert himself and he could become disorientated and confused.

Police said foul play was unlikely.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA