Waikato police find body near search for missing 84-year-old

Waikato police have confirmed a sudden death in Huntly near where they have been searching for a missing 84-year-old man called Norman.

Police had been seeking the public’s help in locating the man who was reported missing earlier in the week. They have not confirmed if the body found today was that of Norman.

Norman was seen on Main Street, Huntly, after being dropped off by a taxi around 11.30am on Sunday, August 11. No last name was given.

A family member on social media said the last CCTV footage of him was on Sunday in Huntly at 12.20pm.

Norman’s granddaughter Ashleigh Dwight, told the Waikato Herald on Wednesday afternoon that Norman had been found deceased, in the Waikato River in Huntly, at about 1pm.

“My mum, dad, and sister were there to receive him ... we are absolutely devastated by this outcome.

“We’re very broken I don’t know how to explain it. I am so proud to be my grandfather’s granddaughter, he was such a kind and loving man. We love our Normi as we call him.”

A police spokesperson today told Waikato Herald inquiries remained ongoing to locate him.

Police did confirm they were attending a sudden death on Main Street, Huntly, adjacent to the Waikato River, and enquiries were ongoing to determine the circumstances.

Norman was last seen on Main Street in Huntly, after being dropped off by a taxi at around 11:30am on August 10. Photo / Waikato Police

Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.