Police find slain German tourist's backpacks

Police investigating the murder of German tourist Birgit Brauer have today found two backpacks in bush near Lake Rotokare in Taranaki.

The two packs had been concealed in the lake reserve. A letter addressed to Ms Brauer was in one of the packs, police said.

Police were continuing to search the bush and lake near Eltham, where a Toyota Hilux was sighted three days after Ms Brauer died.

The body of Ms Brauer was found dumped at Lucy's Gully, near New Plymouth on September 20.

A post mortem found Ms Brauer died from massive head injuries and had a single stab wound in the chest and police are keen to also find the murder weapons.

There was no evidence of a sexual attack but that had not been ruled out.

- NZPA