Lee Hall, mother of missing man Brett Hall. Photo / supplied
Police investigating the homicide of Wanganui man Brett Hall have arrested and charged a man with his murder.
The 49-year-old Manawatu man appeared in the Whanganui District Court yesterday, police said.
He was granted interim name suppression was remanded in custody.
He would reappear in the Whanganui High Court next month.
Mr Hall was last seen on his Pitangi farm, between Parikino and Atene on the Whanganui River, on the weekend of May 27, 2011.
Following Mr Hall's disappearance an extensive search involving over 80 NZ Army and Police staff and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel scoured his property and the surrounding bush without finding him.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby, officer in charge of the investigation said it had been an extremely difficult inquiry.
"But I know the investigation team never gave up trying.
"Recent developments as well as information obtained from our inquiries and public appeals resulted in the arrest and charge."
He thanked the public and media for helping police with their numerous appeals for information.
Police conducted an extensive homicide investigation and search phase into his disappearance with over 30 detectives from the Lower North Island working on the case.
"While we have made an arrest this does not signal the end of our investigation," Mr Kirby said.
"We have further inquires to make and a prosecution to prepare but this is a major breakthrough and from the outset the investigation team has been determined to give some peace and closure to Brett's family."
The video purportedly shows him scaling down from the eighth floor.