Private investigators say there’s no concerns for safety of missing US aviation student, William Henry Johnson

Private investigators searching for a United States aviation student who went missing from Palmerston North say there is no longer any concern for his safety.

Massey University student William Henry Johnson, known as Will to friends and family, was last seen by friends between May 30 and June 1 in the Takaro area.

Private investigator Mike Gillam, of The Investigators New Zealand, was hired by Johnson’s parents to look for him.

“Following extensive investigations and recent developments, we now have no immediate concerns for William’s physical safety or wellbeing,” Gillam said in a statement today.

“While we cannot release specific details at this time, information received during the investigation indicates that William appears to be safe.”

Police said: “We would encourage William, or anyone who knows his whereabouts, to get in touch with police to confirm he is safe”.

Private investigators are searching for missing aviation student William Henry Johnson, last seen in Palmerston North. Photo / RNZ

Earlier, Gillam said Johnson’s last communication with his family was on June 5.

The 24-year-old had not responded to any attempts at contact, which was “completely out of character” and Johnson’s family were concerned.

Gillam said a team of investigators was involved in the search around Palmerston North and Auckland, which Johnson was known to make “off the cuff” trips to.

Investigators were particularly focused on the timeline between May 30 and June 1 when Johnson was last seen by friends.

Johnson drove a 2013 silver Mazda 6, registration MJK496, which was also missing and could provide leads to his whereabouts, Gillam said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Gillam told RNZ Johnson’s disappearance was “really traumatising” for his family.

“We do want to hear from anyone with information that could be beneficial,” he said.

Johnson’s mother was set to arrive in New Zealand from Seattle this morning.

Police earlier said they received a missing person report on June 9.