A body believed to be missing British tourist Grace Millane has been found by police in the Waitakere Ranges today.
One of the last people to see Grace Millane alive has spoken to the Herald exclusively about the young British backpacker's unfinished plans to explore the South Island.
The police homicide inquiry into Millane's disappearance came to a head yesterday when authorities recovered Grace's body from bush in the Waitakere Ranges.
Now, the man accused of murdering the 22-year-old has appeared in Auckland District Court today, where Judge Thomas told Millane's family, "all of us hope justice for Grace is fair, swift and ultimately brings you some peace".
"Your grief must be desperate".
English expat Jack Cotton said he was staying in Base Backpackers in downtown Auckland when Grace first checked in on November 29.
He and another backpacker had noticed Millane sitting alone and in the spirit of backpacking invited her to have a drink with them, he told the Herald.
"Myself and another guy were having a cigarette in the smoking area. She was kind of on her own so we just said hello and invited her to our table."
There a group of about six people, including Millane, chatted about their travels and where they planned to go. Millane mentioned she was looking forward to celebrating her 22nd birthday on December 2.
The two English expats found common ground in their birth country. She told him she was from Essex and he told her he was from Nottingham.
Police are continuing work at the Waitakere Ranges today. Yesterday at 4pm they found what they believed to be the body of Grace Millane. Photo / Doug Sherring
The group drank with Millane before Cotton and a couple of others went on a pub crawl.
"We left and that is the last time I saw her which was about 8pm on the Thursday."
Millane had told him she was staying in Auckland for a short time before heading to the South Island to continue her travels, Cotton said.
He recalled Millane being a "very nice girl" who was quiet initially "but that was probably because she was on her own".
"She seemed like a genuinely nice, normal girl. It's a shame because its such a rarity for this kind of thing to happen."
Millane's death was so odd given how safe Auckland felt at any time of the day, Cotton said.
"I don't think it should deter people from travelling alone or going to different countries or exploring. It's some of the best things you will ever do and the best memories you will create.
A 26-year-old man has appeared in Auckland District Court today charged with Millane's murder.
The Herald has viewed court documents that state who the man is, what he is alleged to have done and where he is from.
He was declined suppression but indicated he will appeal so suppression has been granted for 21 days.
But the Herald can reveal that the man is alleged to have murdered Millane between December 1 and 2.
The man is listed as living on Queen St - the same address as CityLife Hotel where Millane was last seen alive.
His occupation is not listed.
There has been speculation the pair met on a dating app such as Tinder, but police have refused to confirm how they met.
Police released photos of a 2016 red Toyota Corolla hatchback. Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle in West Auckland between 6am and 9.30am on December 3.
Millane's body was found in a section of bush just 10m off Scenic Drive in West Auckland's Waitakere Ranges yesterday.
The investigation team were now calling on anyone who saw the vehicle in the West Auckland area between 6am and 9.30am last Monday, December 3, to contact them.
The hunt for Grace
October-November 2018
Grace Millane embarks on a year-long solo OE, starting in South America at the end of October, before she arrives in New Zealand on November 20.
She travels around the upper North Island, including Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga.
Thursday, November 29
Grace arrives in Auckland and checks into the Base Backpackers Hostel.
