Body discovered at riding school

A body has been discovered, more than a month after a Gisborne man went missing from his home, sparking a major search.

Police believe the body, found at a former Riding for Disabled site on the northern outskirts of the city, was that of Simon Eckersley, 32.

"We are waiting for formal identification," Detective Sergeant Craig Scott said today.

Police needed dental records for the identification. Because Mr Eckersley was Australian, the records might have to come from Australia.

If police were unable to obtain any dental records, they would turn to DNA identification, Mr Scott said.

The body was discovered at about midday yesterday. Friends and family had been told.

The area is full of bush and banks. It links with a hill walkway.

Mr Eckersley was reported missing on October 14 after his car was found at the top of Makorori Hill, north of Gisborne.

Several sightings of him, wearing pyjama pants, led searchers toward town.

While police and search and rescue volunteers searched a large area, two people going for a walk were the ones who discovered the body.

It was believed the body had been there for some time, Mr Scott said. It was not dressed the way Mr Eckersley was described as being clothed when he went missing.

- NZPA