Police rule out foul play in creek body discovery

A forensics team tent covers the spot where the skeletal remains were found. Photo / Greg Bowker

Police have ruled out foul play over the discovery of a decomposed body in a creek north of Auckland.

The remains of a woman were found in the Stanmore Bay Creek on Wednesday night.

Detective Inspector Bruce Scott says a forensic dentist is being called in to help formally identify the body, but the post mortem has revealed nothing which warrants further investigation.

He says they do not believe there is anything untoward in the death and the matter has been referred to the coroner.

Mr Scott says police are reasonably confident the body is that of missing Whangaparaoa mother Alanah Brough.

He says they need a forensic dentist to assist them, but he is not available until the weekend.

Yesterday it emerged that local school children spent 11 days playing with the remains, thinking it was a crocodile, before a parent discovered the body was human on Wednesday.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF