Braydon Hepworth investigation: Missing Christchurch father ‘no longer alive’
Police in Christchurch have located a body believed to be missing 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth during a search warrant at a residential property. The death is currently being treated as unexplained while the investigation continues.
Why it matters
The discovery provides a tragic conclusion to a high-profile missing person case that had garnered significant public and family concern.
A body has been found in the investigation into missing Christchurch father Braydon Hepworth, police have confirmed.
“Police have located the body of a person during a search warrant at a residential property on Hereford St, Christchurch, this morning,” Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said just before 2pm.
“Formal identification procedures are under way, however, we believe this to be missing 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth.
“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.”
Anderson said finding Hepworth “involved a number of dedicated police staff and it has been a significant operation”.
“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, there is a small comfort in being able to bring him home,” he said.
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