Police believe the skeletal remains found down a steep bank
today in Upper Hutt, north of Wellington, may be the body of
Harold Skudder, who has been missing for more than three
years.
The discovery, after a tipoff, followed the arrest yesterday
and court appearance today of a 26-year-old man who has been
charged over the historic murder.
The man was granted interim name suppression to inform his
family of the charges he faced, although police opposed name
suppression, Detective Inspector Shane Cotter told Radio New
Zealand.
The man was remanded in custody until March 25.
A formal identification of the remains had yet to be made,
possibly using dental records or DNA, but police had told Mr
Skudder's next of kin that it may be his body.
Mr Skudder's mother reported the 38-year-old missing in
January 2008, a year after his disappearance.
"They are pleased that there's been a resolution in the
matter, but they're obviously very upset that Harold has been
killed," Mr Cotter said.
"Again, they're awaiting the identification of the skeletal
remains so that if it is Harry, they're able to lay him to
rest properly."
Mr Skudder had four children, and was living a transient
lifestyle at the time he disappeared which was part of the
reason he was not reported missing for 15 months, he told
RNZ.
"I know there are people out there who know the circumstances
of Harold's disappearance, and I ask those people to come
forward and contact the police," he said.
However, police were not looking for anyone else in
connection to his disappearance.
The remains were found a short distance down a steep bank off
Moonshine Hill Road, out of view of the road. Search and
rescue had to use abseiling gear to reach the site.
Mr Cotter would not comment on whether anything else of
interest was found in the area. The cause of death was
unknown.
Police were also examining a house in the Lower Hutt suburb
of Stokes Valley. Mr Skudder had connections with the people
who used to live next door, Mr Cotter said.
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