Skeletal remains those of missing man, say police

Nelson police today confirmed skeletal remains found near Mt Arthur in Kahurangi National Park are those of missing Motueka man Karl Erza Sorenson.

A caver found Mr Sorenson's remains on Friday on the Pearce Valley side of Mount Arthur.

A search in November last year failed to find the 23-year-old, who disappeared from the park in May 2001.

Acting Sergeant Rob Crawford said the body was removed by a search and rescue and police recovery team during the weekend.

Articles at the scene had verified the body was Mr Sorenson and a post mortem examination would not be carried out.

There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, Mr Crawford said.

Mr Sorenson's wallet and clothes were found earlier last year by cavers near the Leslie River area, 25km from Motueka.

Police found items left behind at a campsite where he had stayed including a towel, a tin, a bread bag and a glove.

The items were discovered in an area not included in the initial search in 2001.

Police had described the terrain as rugged and difficult to search.

- NZPA