Body found in Waikato River believed to be missing person

Police confirm they have located a body in the Waikato River believed to be the person who jumped from Pukete Bridge on Saturday night. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Police confirm they have located a body in the Waikato River believed to be the person who jumped from Hamilton’s Pukete Bridge on Saturday night.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said the body was found on Tuesday.

“While formal identification procedures are still to be completed, it is believed to be the person reported missing in the river on Saturday,” the statement said.

At 7.45pm on Saturday December 14, police were advised that a man had jumped off Pukete Bridge into the Waikato River, and could not be found.

Despite extensive searching that night and over subsequent days on the river and along the riverbank, the man was not located.

The family of the missing man have been notified and police are providing them with support at this difficult time.

The death will be referred to the coroner.