Tests show fall caused teen's death

Cem Erbay. Photo / Supplied

The 19-year-old found dead on the Coromandel Peninsula had a lot of friends and "no enemies", says a friend.

A search and rescue team found the body of Cem Erbay in a pine plantation on Monday afternoon, 70m from a residential area where hundreds of holidaymakers are enjoying their summer at Matarangi.

Mr Erbay celebrated New Year's Eve with his friend Will Killip before he disappeared.

"He was a guy that everyone liked, he had no enemies," Mr Killip said.

Police at first thought Mr Erbay's death was suspicious, but the preliminary findings of a post-mortem examination done in Auckland suggest that is not the case.

"It is a relief that he wasn't hurt but it is still a mystery and we won't be relieved until we know what happened," Mr Killip said.

Radio New Zealand host Simon Mercep is the partner of Mr Erbay's mother, Sharon Harvey. He told the Herald the family were working on plans for Mr Erbay's funeral service, which will be held at St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland on Monday.

A death notice in today's Herald said: "Words cannot express our grief. You will be in our hearts always."

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said Mr Erbay's death had been referred to the coroner.

"The pathologist reports that Cem suffered a number of injuries, most likely in a fall, and that these, combined with his heart condition, were the major contributors in his death," Mr Greene said.

He said police were still piecing together Mr Erbay's movements.

Mr Erbay was last seen by Mr Killip at 4am crossing the one-lane bridge at Wharekaho Beach.

Mr Killip called out to his friend as he walked towards Wharekaho Beach but he did not respond. He went to bed thinking Mr Erbay had made it home safely.

The alarm was raised that day at 5pm when it was clear Mr Erbay had not come home.

Mr Greene told the Herald on Tuesday that it was unlikely Mr Erbay had walked more than 20km from Wharekaho to Matarangi through rugged terrain.

He was wearing jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and had no shoes on when he disappeared.

Mr Erbay was spotted at Matarangi store between 9am and 10am.

Police are appealing to anyone who saw him to contact them.