By 3 News online staff
Police have confirmed car parts found washed up on a Southland beach belong to the Volkswagen vehicle they believe missing 11-year-old Mike Zhao-Beckenridge was travelling in.
The in-water search at Curio Bay has been called off as conditions have deteriorated to the point it is unsafe. However, the dive team will resume the search when tidal conditions improve.
Inspector Kevin Lloyd confirmed the car parts, reportedly a bumper and an interior panel from the vehicle, have been identified as coming from the Vokswagen Touareg police have been looking for.
The dive team was unable to confirm whether the car is in the water.
“The parts that we are finding are certainly suggesting the vehicle is [in the water], but it’s very frustrating in that we’re not conclusively able to say this is what we’ve got,” Insp Lloyd said.
Mike has been missing since his estranged stepfather John Beckenridge collected him from school on March 13. Beckenridge's contact with Mike is in breach of a parenting order.
"Mike's backpack was also located in the wider area of interest, however we still have no indication that either Mike or John are in that location," Insp Lloyd said.
"I know the conclusion could be drawn that they’re there, but the focus of the inquiry is they’re still out and about and we’re still actively seeking any sightings."
Beckenridge is also known as John Robert Lundh, Knut Goran Roland Lundh or John Bradford. He is described as 1.75m tall, medium build and of Swedish descent. Mike is of Asian descent and of solid build.
Police are still appealing to the public for any sightings of either Mike or Beckenridge in the Southland region and say anyone with information that may assist locating the pair should contact Southern District Command Centre on (03) 471 5002. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Reports from the Mossburn area and outside Otago yesterday were followed up and later cleared.
3 News
source: newshub archive
