18 Oct 2023

Body found near Auckland motorway confirmed as missing man

12:50 pm on 18 October 2023
Dylan Barford.

Dylan Barford went missing in late September, but police say a body found near a motorway has been identified as him. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

A body found near an Auckland motorway off-ramp has been confirmed as missing man Dylan Barford after a formal identification process.

His body was found in grass near the Hobsonville Road off-ramp in West Harbour, and reported to police on 13 October.

Police had appealed for information about the whereabouts of Barford, 34, in late September, after he was not seen for almost a week.

The last images of him were captured by CCTV cameras, as he walked north along Guntan Drive, near Westgate Mall, just before 1am on 24 September.

The search soon shifted to an appeal to identify the occupants of three cars seen in the area.

"Our investigation team is working to support Dylan's whānau at this difficult time," police said in a statement.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs