Police recover body from Manawatū River weeks after man’s disappearance

The missing man left personal belongings at Albert St before entering the Manawatū River. Photo / Google Maps

A body has been found in the Manawatū River three weeks after a man’s disappearance.

A police spokesperson said the body retrieved had not yet been formally identified.

The spokesperson said at 7.20pm yesterday, police were called about the body being found.

“The body was recovered, and a formal identification process will follow in the coming days.

“The death will be referred to the Coroner.”

The discovery comes after a man disappeared in the area on Feburary 24. That search was “scaled back” after a two-day “extensive” hunt for the man.

Palmerston North area prevention manager Inspector Phil Ward said officers initially appealed to the man to come back to land; however, he disappeared under the water’s surface.

Extensive searches of the river, Foxton estuary and surrounding areas were carried out in the following days, but with no success.