Search For Missing Teen Luke Cochrane: Body Found

Searchers looking for missing teenager Luke Cochrane have found a body.

The Police National Dive Squad taking part in the search located the body in a waterway in Whitianga, police confirmed in a statement.

Police believe it is Cochrane but formal identification is yet to take place.

The death will now be referred to the coroner.

A police spokesman said the family had been advised and are "obviously very distraught but thankful for the support from the community".

Inspector John Kelly also clarified about how Cochrane's hat was found - it had been picked up by a property owner who then put it up on a fence for the person who had dropped it to grab.

It was then believed to have been spotted by a passing boatie who then told police.

Police then confirmed it belonged to Cochrane and the search then intensified from there and his body was found two hours later.

- NZ Herald

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