Missing Auckland teenager Daniel Kelly’s last known movements revealed

Daniel Kelly, 18 was last seen going for a swim at Karioitahi Beach on April 22. Photo / Supplied

Teenager Daniel Kelly was last seen arriving at Karioitahi Beach in his car two days before he was reported missing, it has been revealed.

Fresh details have emerged of the last known movements of Kelly with his family saying there had been a confirmed sighting of the 18-year-old pulling up in his vehicle at 5pm on April 22.

Kelly’s family are “just trying to cope day-to-day” as they await daily updates from police on their attempts to find the missing man.

In an update shared on Kelly’s Givealittle page today, the family said he had followed a lengthy trip from the Bay of Plenty, travelling more than 220km to visit Waiuku.

Earlier that day, Kelly had told his mother, brother and father about his plans to visit Waiuku and Karioitahi.

The teenager drove from Pāpāmoa to Waiuku during the day.

He took his dog and bought lunch, some drinks, and an Anzac poppy on the way.

After reaching Karioitahi Beach, he texted a friend in Pāpāmoa that he “wouldn’t be home till late”, the family said.

Daniel Kelly, 18, was last seen going for a swim at Karioitahi Beach on April 22. Photo / Supplied

Police had earlier said Kelly was reported missing on April 24 and police SAR personnel, along with LandSAR and Coastguard had been searching the shoreline, coastal and bush areas in the Karioitahi Beach area.

“An aerial search of the waters off the beach will be conducted by Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft.

“Police continue to appeal to anyone who may have seen Daniel or his small white dog in the area over the weekend or has information on his whereabouts to get in contact with us immediately.”

Police were looking to hear from anyone with information about his vehicle’s movements.

“It is a silver Honda Accord, registration LFU536, with silver rims. If you can help, please call 111, quoting file number 230424/1494.”

A concerned family member posted on Facebook saying the area of the beach the car was found in had been cordoned off so search and rescue personnel with their dogs could search thoroughly.

The post also said Kelly’s dog had been located in his car, but he was nowhere to be found.

Daniel Kelly's silver Honda Accord, registration LFU536, with silver rims. Photo / Supplied

Updated: An earlier version of the story said the missing man was seen swimming in the sea.