Six months on: Many questions remain following April death of ocean swimmer Leslie Gelberger

Leslie Gelberger and wife Laura McLeod with their children. Gelberger died while swimming at Narrow Neck Beach six months ago, on April 20. Photo / Supplied

Six months have passed since Leslie Gelberger went for a swim one morning and never came home.

Mystery still surrounds the death of the father-of-two, who went missing on April 20 after going for a swim at Narrow Neck Beach in Auckland and failing to return home.

His body, missing a leg, was discovered the following afternoon by a passing commuter ferry, floating about two miles off the coast of Mairangi Bay.

Initial police investigations suggested Gelberger may have been hit by a boat.

Despite half a year having passed, questions still surround the North Shore man's death and police remain tight-lipped about their investigation, with no details having been publically released since May.

Gelberger's wife, Laura McLeod, told the Herald on Thursday the family was "coping as best we can" following the loss of a soulmate, father, husband, son and brother.

They were yet to get answers as to whether charges would be laid in relation to her husband's death, she said. However, she praised the police for their thorough investigation.

"The police have been nothing short of amazing," McLeod said.

"They have kept me updated as things have progressed and made themselves available to my inquiries.

"Certainly things have not progressed at lightning speed, but I'd prefer things be done right rather than fast."

In the days following Gelberger's death, police revealed they were investigating the potential involvement of a boat, which was identified, located and examined.

Ports of Auckland (POAL) chief executive Tony Gibson confirmed at the time that one of its pilot boats was under investigation in relation to the death of a swimmer.

When approached for further comment on the investigation this week, POAL head of communications Matt Ball said police had completed their investigation of the pilot boat and it was now back in use. The skipper of the boat had also returned to work.

The company had not been updated by police on the investigation, Ball said.

"We have had absolute silence and we have no idea what is going on."

This Friday marks six months since Leslie Gelberger died while swimming at Narrow Neck Beach in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Since the police investigation began in April, detectives have worked to build a timeline of Gelberger's movements and the path he took for his swim.

He is thought to have begun his swim just after 10am from Narrow Neck Beach.

"He is thought to have swum out across Cheltenham Beach, towards North Head, with the intention of coming to shore again at Devonport," Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said in a Herald article from May.

"At this stage, police believe Gelberger was struck by a vessel as he approached North Head."

At the time, police appealed for information from two people seen fishing in a dinghy off Takapuna Head.

Police are also understood to have analysed video footage from security cameras put up by residents at a Devonport beach.

In the following months, police have refused to release any further information but confirmed their investigation into Gelberger's death was ongoing.

"There is no further information available at this time," a police spokesperson said on Thursday.

Gelberger's life was celebrated in a "party" style funeral on April 29.

The service took place at Westlake Girls' High School in Takapuna, where Gelberger had taught maths and science since the beginning of the year.

Gelberger was survived by two young sons, Silas and Linus, and his wife Laura McLeod.

The family moved here from Canada about three years ago and were in the process of making New Zealand their "permanent home" when the tragedy struck.

McLeod spoke to the Herald in April about her anguish and shock coming to terms with the gut-wrenching loss of her soulmate.

The heartbroken widow described Gelberger as "my best friend" and the "best father" to the couple's sons, aged 7 and 5.

"I have lost my best friend, the best father to my boys and the most amazing, kindest, positive and adventurous person I have ever known."

She said her husband was "the epitome of kindness and unrelentingly positivity".

Gelberger was also described as a keen ocean swimmer and had completed at least four ocean swims since October last year, competing in the class for 40 to 44-year-old men.

The days following her husband's death were the worst of her life, McLeod said, but she was blown away by the kindness and generosity of friends, acquaintances and complete strangers.

"Our friends and the wider community have also been incredibly supportive. They have done everything possible to make this horrific time easier. I cannot thank them enough," she said.

A Givealittle page set up to raise funds for the family raised a total of $53,493 in the three months it was active.