Missing teen Olivia Rutherford found dead

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

RETRIEVAL: The body police pulled from the water near Wellington's Overseas Passenger Terminal was transferred from the dive boat to the police launch and then to a hearse.

The girl's body police recovered from Wellington Harbour this morning has been confirmed as missing teenager Olivia Rutherford.

The body was retrieved from the harbour shortly before 11.30am and was formally identified this afternoon.

Missing Wellington 15-year-old Olivia Rutherford.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell said the death was 'an absolute tragedy' but there were no suspicious circumstances.

An autopsy would be conducted tomorrow and the matter would likely be referred to the coroner.

SEARCH CONTINUES: The police dive squad search Wellington Harbour for missing schoolgirl Olivia Rutherford.

Mr Borrell said the Rutherford family thanked the public for their messages of supported and requested privacy.

Police said a Maori kaumatua had blessed the area where the 15-year-old was found and asked people to avoid fishing from Chaffers Wharf before Friday to respect cultural protocol.

Shortly after 10am today, police and Victim Support arrived at Olivia's family home. Friends and family were at the house, and were seen consoling one another.

A search was launched for Olivia after the year 11 St Mary's pupil went missing on Friday. She had not been seen since 6pm that day, with a search of CCTV footage, the harbour, parks and reserves around the city failing to reveal more clues.

Olivia's bag, including her wallet, was found on the City to Sea bridge near the waterfront by a member of the public on Saturday morning.

MISSING SINCE FRIDAY

Olivia, 15, did not attend school on Friday - something both her mother and school principal say she had never done before.

A message was left at her school excusing her absence on Friday, but police now believe that call was made by Olivia.

St Mary's school principal Mary Cook said it was very unusual for Olivia to not have turned up to school on Friday.

'She's not the sort of kid that you'd flag or say 'This is one you have to watch', because she never ever took time off school unless she was sick.'

There had been no noticeable changes in Olivia's behaviour as far as any of her teachers could tell.

In her last period of school on Thursday, Olivia's teacher had described her as 'happy and cheerful'.

'There was no hint she seemed to be upset or anything.'

Her friends were 'all totally perplexed by the whole thing', Mrs Cook said.

- with Stuff.co.nz and NZPA