Post mortem reveals little about foot found on beach

The foot found at Himatangi Beach last week had been in the water for at least two months, police say.

The foot was found by a Foxton man who was out for a walk with his dog on Saturday night and saw a sneaker on the beach, near Foxton in the Manawatu.

Detective Ashley Gurney said a post mortem examination showed it belonged to someone aged at least 18 and that two months was the minimum amount of time the foot had been in the water.

It was not possible to say the maximum amount of time it had been in the sea and there were no indications of gender, ethnicity, size, weight, he said.

The foot was encased in a US size 9 "Skechers" brand dark blue sneaker and was wearing a black ankle sock. The sneaker had Velcro straps.

Mr Gurney earlier said it appeared the foot had been detached from its leg by being pulled apart rather than sheared off by an act of violence.

Given the recent bad weather, it was possible the foot had come from anywhere on the west coast of the North Island.

Police are still hoping a member of the public may be able to help them in their investigations.

- NZPA