A body was found overnight at a beach in Ōhope, days after a man jumped into the water while fleeing police.
Police confirmed formal identification is ongoing.
“However, it is likely to be the man who fled police on Christmas Day,” Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said.
The discovery comes after police officers were called to a family harm-related incident involving a 42-year-old man on Wednesday evening, about 6pm.
