Murder charge after three-year-old skeleton found

Police believe the body found is that of Harold Alamoti Taipa Skudder. Photo / Supplied

Police investigating an historic murder case have found a skeleton.

Detective Inspector Shane Cotter said the skeleton was found down a bank in Upper Hutt today.

Police believe the body is that of Harold Alamoti Taipa Skudder. Earlier today a man appeared in court, charged with Mr Skudder's murder.

Mr Skudder, 38, was reported missing by his mother in January 2008, a year after his disappearance.

The defendant was arrested yesterday after new information from the public.

He also faced a charge of intentional damage after allegedly breaking a window in January this year.

He was granted interim name suppression to inform his family of the charges he faced and was remanded in custody until March 25.

Meanwhile, an area of Moonshine Hill Road has been cordoned off to allow investigators to conduct a safe scene examination of the area where the remains were found.

Detective Inspector Cotter said a formal identification of the body will be made using dental records or DNA.

Detective Inspector Cotter said the investigation is ongoing and lines of enquiry with friends and family is continuing.

He said anyone with information about Mr Skudder's disappearance should contact Lower Hutt Police on (04) 560 2600 or leave anonymous information on the Crime Stoppers line, 0800 555 111.

- NZ HERALD ONLINE