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A body believed to be missing Christchurch father Braydon Hepworth has been found at a residential property on Hereford St.
The 21-year-old’s body was located on Thursday morning as police executed a search warrant at the central city house to the rear of the property, Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said in a statement just before 2pm.
“Formal identification procedures are under way, however, we believe this to be missing 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth,” Anderson said.
“The death is being treated as unexplained, and a post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow.
“This is a devastating outcome for his family, and our hearts go out to them. We are providing them with support at this extremely difficult time.”
Jeremy Keen, the father of Hepworth’s partner, described the family’s “heartbreak” after police found his body.
“After weeks of hoping, searching, wondering and praying that we would find him and bring him home, this is news that none of us ever wanted to hear,” Keen said.
“Braydon meant so much to a lot of people, and this has taken an enormous emotional toll on everyone who has been involved in the search.
"There are no words that can truly describe the heartbreak we are feeling right now. Rest peacefully, Braydon.
"You were loved, you mattered, and you will never be forgotten.”
Earlier on Thursday, police said they believed Hepworth was “no longer alive”.
Officers investigating his disappearance carried out several search warrants in Christchurch.
“Finding Braydon has involved a number of dedicated police staff and it has been a significant operation,” Anderson said.
“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, there is a small comfort in being able to bring him home.
“A scene guard remains in place at the property and police will be in attendance at the address for a number of days while inquiries continue.”
Anderson said there are people in the community who know what happened to Hepworth.
He urged anyone who could help with the investigation to come forward.
“The investigation team is concentrating efforts on confirming Braydon’s movements and we are speaking with a number of people who are assisting our inquiries,” Anderson said.
“It is early in the investigation, and it will take time to build a clear picture of what has occurred.
"Further details will be released proactively when we are in a position to do so.”
The 21-year-old was last seen at the Linwood Z Energy service station on September 3.
Anderson said police searched properties in Linwood and Edgeware on Thursday.
“We ask that anyone who has knowledge of Braydon’s movements, or who has information that could help the investigation, to please speak with us.
“Any information, no matter how small, could be a piece of the puzzle we need.”
As part of the investigation, police conducted a scene examination last week at Hepworth’s last known address on England St, Linwood.
“We know there are people in the community that know what has happened to Braydon and request that they come forward with information … police are determined to get answers for Braydon’s family.”
- If you have information that could help, call 105 or report it at 105.police.govt.nz and use reference number 260918/8420.
-RNZ and Allied Media