Body confirmed as missing woman

A body recovered from the sea near Dunedin yesterday afternoon was that of missing 40-year-old Dunedin woman Gayle Dianne Heath, police say.

Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said this morning the body was recovered from the sea by helicopter crew near Karetai Road, on the southern coast of the Otago Peninsula, about 3pm yesterday.

Mr Brown said the woman's death was not being treated as suspicious and had been referred to the coroner.

Police this afternoon confirmed the body as Ms Heath, who was last seen in central Dunedin at 2pm Sunday.

Her next-of-kin had been notified.

- NZPA