Southland police officers searching for missing Ōtautau man Dale Watene have found a body in Longwood Forest.
Dale Watene was last seen in Ōtautau on the evening of 16 April. Photo: Supplied / Police
Police believe it is the body of the missing 40 year old, Detective Sergeant Chris Lucy said.
Officers began searching in the forestry block, about 50km from Invercargill, on Saturday.
Watene was last seen in Ōtautau on the evening of 16 April.
His vehicle was found two days later.
A post-mortem of the body was scheduled for tomorrow and formal identification was underway, Lucy said.
"We will have a clearer understanding of the circumstances once the post-mortem has been completed," he said.
"Police wish to offer their condolences to Mr Watene's family and friends."
Victim Support was providing Watene's family with support.
Lucy called on anyone with information about the case to contact Invercargill police or, alternatively, information could be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
