Body found in Hamilton, believed to be missing Tauranga man Jarrad Ormsby

A body found in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon is believed to be missing Tauranga man Jarrad Ormsby, police say.

Ormsby, 45, was last seen in the city on December 19. He was originally from Welcome Bay in Tauranga but had recently stayed with his partner in Hamilton.

It was believed he was headed to catch a bus to Tauranga but had not been seen since.

Tauranga man Jarrad Ormsby. Photo / Supplied

His sister Lizzette Britton, of Whanganui, and niece Shianne Ormsby, of Tauranga, spoke out last week saying they wanted to know he was alive and okay.

In a statement today, a police spokesman said a man’s body was found at Matangi Rd in Hillcrest.

“Although formal ID is still taking place, it’s believed to be the 45-year-old man reported missing who was last seen in Hamilton on 19 December.

“His death is not being considered suspicious and will be referred to the coroner.”

Police closed Matangi Rd on Saturday afternoon, advising members of the public to find an alternative route if travelling through.

Jarrad Ormsby's sister Lizzette Britton said this photo showed what she believed Jarrad would most likely look like now. Photo / Supplied

Shianne previously told the Bay of Plenty Times Jarrad was believed to have “left on foot” from the home he shared with his partner on December 19.

She said she found out Jarrad was missing on Christmas Eve and reported him missing on December 28 when she learned there had been no activity on his bank account.

Shianne said the last time any family heard from Jarrad by phone was on December 18.

Lizzette Britton, of Whanganui, spoke out about her younger brother Jarrad Ormsby. Photo / Olivia Reid

Lizzette said she and Jarrad were two of six siblings who grew up in Welcome Bay in Tauranga.

She said Jarrad was “very close” to their mother, who died about five or six years ago from cancer.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.