Carmen Thomas' body found in west Auckland

Murdered woman Carmen Thomas. Photo / Supplied

Police have found the dismembered remains of a body they believe is that of murdered Auckland woman Carmen Thomas.

Police made the discovery this afternoon while searching in west Auckland's rugged Waitakere Ranges, where they have been for two days after acting on information.

Detective Inspector Mark Benefield, officer in charge of the investigation, was emotional as he told the media tonight of the latest discovery.

He said a post-mortem examination would take place tomorrow.

He hoped the body of Ms Thomas would be returned to her family and loved ones so she could have a "dignified resting place".

Mr Benefield said "I know there will be a lot of unanswered questions for people who have been following this tragedy through the media and on various social networking sites, but I'm unable to answer everything as there are serious matters before the court and I do not want to risk compromising anyone's right to a fair trial.

"What I can tell you is that my team has worked tirelessly on this investigation since we were made aware on July 13 that Carmen was missing and, while we are relieved that we believe we have found her, it's a very sad time for her family and for those of us who, initially, hoped to be able to find her alive."

The 32-year-old South African-born escort was dismembered after being killed at her Remuera home on 29 June, police allege. It is not known whether all of her body or just some parts were found.

Ms Thomas' former partner, 32-year-old structural engineer Brad Callaghan, has been charged with her murder and appeared in the Auckland District Court last week. He was remanded in custody to reappear on October 12.

Mr Benefield tonight said he could not rule out the possibility of further arrests but that none were imminent.

"Any information passed to us during this investigation has been treated as confidential and that won't change.

"Having said that, we are still assessing information received recently and will determine in due course whether anyone other than the murder accused is criminally implicated in Carmen's death or disposal."

Police have been trying to find Ms Thomas since she was reported missing on July 13. She was last seen on June 27 at the Greenlane Countdown and sent a text message to her boss at a Pakuranga escort agency three days later.

As news of a press conference broke, friends and relatives expressed their excitement at the find.

"Announcement tonight at 7.30!!! Please please let this be the news we are all waiting for," wrote Rachel Thorburn on Facebook.

"Police media conference being held at 7.30! whatever the news - God Bless!"said Audra Stuck.

Police have also been searching a construction site in Auckland's Victoria St where Callaghan worked.

Among the items being examined by Environmental Science and Research(ESR) forensic scientists is a boat seized from an east Auckland property on Thursday, which is believed to belong to a co-worker of Brad Callaghan, the man accused of Ms Thomas' murder.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said last week that it did not appear anything of significance had been recovered from the Mansons TCLM construction site, where Callaghan had worked, but police were still awaiting the results of ESR tests on the hundreds of items recovered from the site.

Police had also concluded their search of Callaghan's property in Remuera, another Remuera property and the east Auckland residence.