Body found in search was Hamilton pensioner Raymond Stirling, police confirm

Family confirmed it was their search group who discovered Stirling's body. Photo / Supplied

Police have confirmed a body found in the search for a missing Hamilton man is pensioner Raymond Stirling.

The 84-year-old hadn't been seen since January 15, when he was reported missing family members.

In a written statement this morning, police confirmed the body found by members of the public last Sunday was Stirling.

The thoughts of police were with the family, the statement said.

His death had been referred to the coroner.

Police stopped their official search a week after his disappearance, but family and friends have continued to search every day for their beloved father and grandfather.

The Hamilton man had mild dementia and had been described as frail.

Stirling was known to hitch a ride from time to time.

It's unclear how far from his home his body was found, but family confirmed it was their search group who made the discovery.

Stirling's granddaughter Marina Rameka told Newstalk ZB that between 50 and 100 people had been helping with the search.

"He has a really big family, who care about him immensely," she had said.