Missing women: Bodies found

Missing Christchurch pair Selina Madden, left, and her mother Marilyn. Photo / Supplied

Police hunting for two missing women have found their car with two bodies inside.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill of Christchurch police said the bodies have not yet been formally identified but they are likely to be those of missing persons Marilyn Zidich, 62, and her 35-year-old daughter Selina Madden.

The vehicle, a grey Fiat Tipo hatchback, was found during a foot search this morning in dense scrub, about 70 metres below Dyers Pass Road.

Police will try to recover the vehicle and bodies this afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hill said the deaths will be reported to the Coroner, who will make a determination as to the cause of death.

He also expressed thanks to members of the public who had contacted police with information and possible sightings of the missing vehicle.

The pair have not been seen at their home in suburban Belfast since Thursday morning.

Ms Zidich's elder daughter called police when she arrived home from work that day to find their car was gone and both women missing.