Family relieved son’s body ‘returned’
Lucas Cochrane never said goodbye to friends when he walked out of the Whitianga Fire Station on Saturday night, in the pouring rain and darkness.
Four days later, less than 400 metres from where he was last seen, police divers discovered the 19-year-old’s body in the murky waterways behind the residential loop in the beachside township.
A statement from Luke’s family said it was ‘‘with the deepest regret that we are saddened but relieved to have Luke returned to us.’’
They acknowledged the people of Mercury Bay for their kindness and generosity, and the efforts of the police and search and rescue.
‘‘We ask for privacy at this time of grief,’’ the statement concluded.
It was the dangerous goods worker’s cap, found in a walkway between two properties on the edges of Aquila Drive, that led police to the discovery on Wednesday afternoon.
The black cap was spotted perched on a fence by a police officer following up on routine inquiries, about 3.30pm.
Inspector John Kelly said the home owner had earlier discovered the hat and placed it on the fence, thinking the owner would pick it up.
He wasn’t sure how long it had been there, except to say land search and rescuers had scoured the town.
Below the house, among the luxury yachts and launches, at about 6pm police divers surfaced from the waterway directly in front of the blue home, but did not leave the water.
They had spent a long day methodically sweeping the waterways that define the seaside town, in front of the fire station and across the roadway, helped by surf life savers from Hot Water Beach in inflatables.
At the police cordon on the edge of Kupe Drive at 6pm, eastern area commander John Kelly confirmed police had located the body.
‘‘Subject to formal identification, of course, however all indications are it is the body of missing person Luke Cochrane.’’ Family of the 19-year-old have been informed.
‘‘They are obviously distraught but they also acknowledge the support from the Whitianga community and Search and Rescue volunteers.’’
Shortly before Cochrane’s body was found, friends gathered on the edge of the waterway. Cars parked in the street were plastered with missing person’s posters, in the hope their mate was still alive.
On their faces the realisation that he was lost had appeared.
Family, including his father Dave Cochrane and mother Catherine Tamati had gathered elsewhere on Wednesday night to remember their son and older brother.
He came to Whitianga for the first time at the weekend with a group of mates.
Together they rented a bach through Book a Bach on the main street of town and went to a gathering at the local fire station to farewell the brother-in-law of a local firefighter.
Drinks were shared and about 10.30pm Luke walked out. His phone was active for about an hour after. But he never made it back to the rented bach.
For four days up to 50 volunteers have scoured gardens, roads, bushes and waterways for any sign of the 19-year-old.
Masses of food had been donated to feed the hoards of people huddling in from the search at the airport hangar, as rain consistently drenched the town.
His father, Dave Cochrane, got news of his son’s disappearance while on Waiheke Island for a friend’s birthday function on Sunday morning.
Frantic calls were made to his son’s phone, but there was no answer. His disappearance was completely out of character.
‘‘He was a very fit guy, levelheaded, done well in school, had a fulltime job now, with a view to carrying on his university degree – so sort of everything in front of him.’’
His mother Catherine Tamati and stepfather Glenn described Lucas, or Luke, as a ‘‘great kid who was always full of life and getting up to mischief’’.
Lucas had just got a new job in the logistics industry based at Auckland Airport’s dangerous goods department and was due at work on Monday.
Around the Coromandel town, residents had rallied, putting up posters and helping in any way.
By Tuesday searchers had covered 80 per cent of the township, including boats moored in the waterways.
His death would now be referred to the coroner.