Family 'shattered' after student's body found in harbour

Daniel Hansman

The family of student Daniel Hansman say they are devastated after his body was found in Wellington Harbour yesterday.

His father Eddie Hansman said he and his wife were "totally shattered".

He said at press conference yesterday: "I just need time out now to get other things done. I'd just like to be left alone so I can get on with my life and rebuild it."

A post mortem carried out today confirmed there was no foul play in the death. However, several unexplained elements surrounding the death remain and the coroner will determine the cause of death.

It has yet to be determined why friends and family received a blank text from Mr Hansman on the night he went missing and why his mobile phone was out of order.

Police were also still interested in talking to people who may have seen Mr Hansman around the Wellington waterfront last Thursday.

One of Mr Hansman's flatmates, who declined to be named, said how much she appreciated having him in her life.

"We are all really blessed to have known such a wonderful person."

The body was found in the water shortly after 9am yesterday, near the former Overseas Passenger Terminal building. It was recovered shortly after 11am.

Mr Hansman went missing last Thursday night after being denied entrance to the Coyote Bar in downtown Wellington.

Police were alerted to his absence by worried flatmates the next day.

Former workmates were shocked to hear about the recovery of the body.

Carl Bailey, who worked with Mr Hansman this year in the bakery department of a Wellington supermarket, said "it was a big shock to just find out he had been found in the harbour".

Mr Bailey recalled him as a quiet and polite young man and a good worker.

"He showed up on time, often early," he said. "He was a talented sort of guy, really into his studies and really into his family."

- NZPA