Homicide police find gun in river

A gun was found in the Waikato River on Sunday by a police dive team investigating the death of South Waikato man Stephen George.

The rifle was found in the river near Atiamuri, but it is not yet known if it is connected to the homicide. It has been sent away for forensic examination.

Detective Sergeant Dave Beattie, from the Taupo police, said divers were searching the river simply as an "inquiry", not because of information received.

He said police had wanted to complete the dive for a while but conditions had not been right. Mighty River Power reduced the flow of the river to make it safe for divers.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)