Disappearance of missing backpacker in Auckland being treated as murder
Auckland: The disappearance of a British backpacker in Auckland is being treated as a homicide, Police say.
Grace Millane, 22, was last seen in central Auckland on December 1 and was reported missing last Wednesday.
Items, including her passport, are missing from the hostel she was staying at and detectives believe it is likely she has those items with her.
At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Detective Inspector Scott Beard said Police had located a 26-year-old man at a central Auckland location who was now helping Police with their inquiries.
Inspector Beard said officers had gathered evidence on Saturday that had “established this is a homicide”.
He said Grace Millane’s family had been told and they were “devastated”.
“We are treating Grace’s disappearance as a homicide investigation.”
“We still do not know where Grace is. We are determined to find her and return her to her family,” he said.
“We know that he [the man police are talking to] was with her on Saturday evening and went to a number of places before going to the CityLife hotel.”
Police had identified and found a vehicle of interest and officers were trying to find out where it had been, he said. He would not confirm what type of vehicle it was. The news comes hours after her family said they were “staying very positive” as the search for her continued.
Police had identified and found a vehicle of interest and officers were trying to find out where it had been, he said. He would not confirm what type of vehicle it was.