Death of popular South Canterbury banker Michael Phillips now "unexplained", police say

Michael Phillips, 45, was found dead by a South Canterbury river on Tuesday night. Photo / Supplied

The death of a South Canterbury banker, whose body was found by a wooded riverside by a local police officer, is now being treated as "unexplained", rather than "suspicious".

Michael Andrew Phillips, 45, was found dead beside his silver Suzuki Swift around 10.30pm on Tuesday at Opihi Riverbed, near Fairlie, where he lived with his wife Jackie.

Fifteen police officers, including detectives, a specialist search team, and ESR forensic experts, scoured the scene near Allandale Bridge, which crosses on State Highway 79, today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Quested, the officer in charge of the investigation, told the Herald the death of the Westpac Timaru business bank manager was being treated as an "unexplained" at this stage.

"Inquiries into the circumstance of Mr Phillips' death have been ongoing since he was found and will continue over the weekend," Quested said.

"Police's focus is on gathering and piecing together all available information to be able to build an accurate picture of the circumstances that led to the death."

Quested said police are appealing for sightings of Phillips and his silver Suzuki Swift, registration number FWW671, on Tuesday night.

"Police are particularly interested in sightings of Mr Phillips and his car in Fairlie, and in the Opihi riverbed area near the Allandale bridge on State Highway 79 (the road between Fairlie and Geraldine), between 7pm and 11pm that evening," Quested said.

"We would like to hear from anyone that was in that area at the time and saw or heard anything unusual, including a vehicle with its hazard lights flashing."

Anyone with information, or sightings of Phillip's car, is asked to contact Quested on 021 191 1466.

Phillips was educated at James Hargest College in Invercargill and the University of Canterbury.

He was an active and popular member of the Fairlie community.

Westpac released a statement to the Herald tonight which said: "Our thoughts are with Michael Phillips' family at this difficult time, and with our staff who worked with Michael."

A farewell for Phillips will be held at 2pm Wednesday at the Mackenzie Community Centre in Fairlie.