James and Raymond Fleet investigation: Bodies found in forest believed to be missing pair

Police have confirmed they believe the bodies found in the Mamaku Bush are that of missing uncle and nephew Raymond and James Fleet.

Police addressed media about the disappearance of the Fleets outside the local station in Rotorua this afternoon.

A spokesman said although formal identification has not been completed, they believe they are the missing pair.

"They are a family that is devastated at this time,'' police said.

Officers are continuing a scene examination at Mamaku Forest as a result of the discovery.

Police will not be providing details about the cause of their deaths until post-mortem examinations are finished.

"Police would like to hear from anyone who has any information relating to Raymond or James or their disappearance."

They are appealing to anyone who saw either of the pair between August 4 and August 9.

"Please be assured we are committed to finding answers for the Fleet whanau,'' police said.

"We are still piecing together what happened to these two gentlemen.

"It's still very early stages in this investigation.''

Asked whether either of the men had any visible injuries, police said they would wait until post-mortem examinations had been completed.

Yesterday, police announced two bodies had been found in the Mamaku Forest.

Raymond Fleet, 51, and his nephew James, 25, had been missing for more than a week.

James was last seen on Monday August 7.

About 6.30pm a man knocked on the door of his grandmother's house, where he was living, and he went to the door.

It is understood he then left with the man, without his wallet, shoes and keys.

Raymond is understood to have gone missing around the same time and the pair were reported missing on Wednesday, August 9.

Today members of the Mamaku community, a small rural town in Rotorua, rallied together at the war memorial hall with cups of tea and food to support one another.

Friends of James, a roofer in Rotorua, were visibly upset over their loss.

Two young men declined to pay tribute to their friend for the moment, saying it didn't feel right to talk about James before his family.

One of James' brothers was also at the gathering, but was not ready to speak with media, his friends said.