Detective Inspector Scott Beard yesterday released two photos of a 2016 red Toyota Corolla hatchback linked to Millane's death.
The car was hired from a central Auckland rental company just before lunchtime last Sunday and was later found in Taupo.
The investigation team were now calling on anyone who saw the vehicle in the West Auckland area between 6am and 9.30am last Monday, December 3, to contact them.
Beard, visibly emotional after delivering the news to Millane's family and then the media that a body had been found, said the focus of the investigation was now to piece together exactly what happened to the young woman.
"It is an unbearable time for the Millane family and our hearts go out to them," he said.
Beard said Millane's body was found as a result of "investigative work".
Detective Inspector Scott Beard as he walked to break the news to media that Grace Millane's body had been found. New Zealand Herald Photograph by Doug Sherring
Yesterday a team of 18 police officers, including forensic experts, spent the morning gathering evidence in a patch of manuka and scrub off a layby not far from the Waitakere dam carpark.
Officers dressed in white overalls were seen exiting the bush carrying clear bags. Large tents were erected on the side of the road and there were numerous police cars, both marked and unmarked.
By 4pm they had found her body.
"The formal identification process will now take place, however based on the evidence we have gathered over the past few days, we expect that this is Grace," said Beard.
Police are appealing for sightings of this rented car in relation to the murder of Grace Millane. Photograph supplied
Since news broke that Millane's body had been recovered, support for her family has been swelling around the world.
In New Zealand a number of vigils to honour Millane are being planned.
