Drowning tragedies link NZ families

Johnny Sleigh. Photo / Supplied

A relative of toddler Aisling Symes has sent a heartfelt message to the family of Johnny Sleigh, the New Zealander whose body was found last week in the Thames in London.

Christina Bartle, a relative of the West Auckland 2-year-old who was missing for about a week before her body was found in a stormwater pipe last October, said her family understood exactly how the Sleigh family were feeling at the moment.

On a Facebook page set up by Mr Sleigh's London friends after his disappearance, Mrs Bartle said: "Very sad to hear the news.

"I know how hard it is, it's similar to my family when Aisling went missing. We all hoped she would be found alive and it's devastating when you find out they are coming back - but not how you had hoped."

Aisling's disappearance from her late grandparents' home in Henderson sparked a huge search for the toddler and great media attention.

Mr Sleigh's disappearance set off a widespread online campaign by his family and friends appealing for any information about their friend and brother.

Police last week confirmed that a body recovered from the River Thames was that of Mr Sleigh.

They said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Mrs Bartle, who also set up a similar Facebook page for Aisling when she went missing, encouraged the Sleigh family to remember their son with a smile.

"It's true, you will never forget him. He will live on in your hearts and through your lives just as Aisling does for us," she said.

"After a while you can remember without so much pain and you can talk about the good times and look at the photos and smile. He can still make you smile even though he can't do it in person."

London Metropolitan Police are appealing to anyone who might have seen Mr Sleigh, 36, on or around the Hungerford Bridge.

CCTV images on May 8 show he did not get to the other side of the bridge.