Police have resumed their search for a missing fisherman, and will not rule out the possibility of foul play almost two months after his disappearance.
Alexander James White, a 42-year-old Manurewa man, disappeared on June 24 from an isolated fishing spot near Whatipu, south of Piha.
His black Suzuki Escudo four-wheel-drive vehicle
was discovered there the next day.
Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Jago of Papakura said he thought it unlikely that Mr White would be found alive.
Mr White was a keen fisherman but the lack of any clues or sightings of him in the area on the day he disappeared meant police could not rule out foul play.
"There is a strong possibility that he was swept off the rocks, but we cannot rule anything out."
He said the investigation would remain a missing person case unless there was a development
There were no strong indications yet that something untoward had happened.
Police search and rescue teams returned to the area yesterday to hunt for Mr White's body or any clues to his whereabouts.
