UK inquest on missing Kiwi due to start

Lee Sheppard. Photo / Supplied

An inquest is due to begin in London today into the death of New Zealander Lee Sheppard, who vanished without trace in the city eight years ago.

Mr Sheppard, from Pahi near Maungaturoto in Northland, went to work on the night of January 31, 2003 at a refrigeration recycling plant in Willesden, North London, but was never seen again.

After police investigations failed to resolve the mystery Mr Sheppard's family hired top Auckland private investigator Ron McQuilter to look further into his disappearance.

In 2008 Mr McQuilter revealed he believed Mr Sheppard, 26, had died on site in an industrial accident. He said it appeared he had been rendered unconscious and was caught up in machinery when the plant started up the following morning.

Mr McQuilter and Mr Sheppard's New Zealand family are expected to attend the inquest, which may last up to two weeks.

Mr Sheppard disappeared hours after his wife, Juliet, had told him she was pregnant with their first child, Jaden.

- NZPA