Missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls: Searchers find body

Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, was last seen on June 4 at the Chateau on the Park hotel in Riccarton. Photo / NZ Police

The family of missing Christchurch woman, Elisabeth Nicholls have expressed their gratitude to searchers.

In a statement provided through police, the 79-year-old’s family said they were “very saddened and relieved Lis has been found”.

The statement said Nicholls’ family are “very grateful for everyone’s efforts looking for Lis, particularly the police and so many members of the Christchurch public”.

Nicholls’ family asked for “privacy at this difficult time”.

At 1pm today, while searching an area of central Christchurch, police and Land Search and Rescue teams located a deceased person in a property in the Gracefield Ave area.

Gracefield Ave is about 2.9km from where Nicholls was last seen.

Canterbury Criminal Investigative Branch Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan said formal identification has yet to take place.

“[However], it is believed to be the body of the 79-year-old, reported missing from Riccarton on 4 June.”

Vaughan said Canterbury Police along with Search and Rescue volunteers have been scouring areas in Christchurch city to locate Nicholls.

“We hope today’s discovery will help provide some closure for her family and loved ones,” Vaughan said.

“Our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time and we thank the public and everyone who helped in the search for their efforts.”

Elisabeth Nicholls has been described as an adored wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague.

Nicholls is reported to have dementia and had just been admitted to Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Riccarton on Wednesday, June 4, when she went missing.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge said CCTV was taken during her last confirmed sighting at the Chateau on the Park hotel in Riccarton, about 7.54pm on June 4.

Nicholls was wearing navy jeans, a black-and-grey long-sleeved shirt, with a maroon top underneath, black shoes and had distinctive grey, shoulder-length hair.

Police deployed a drone in the Riccarton and Hagley Park areas between 8am and midday on June 5.

They also urged residents in the area to check their backyards, sheds and sleepouts, and anywhere where a person could seek shelter.

Elisabeth Nicholls has been described as an adored wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague.

Vaughan said the death will be referred to the Coroner.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.