Human remains found on West Coast likely missing tramper Marni Sheppeard

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Searchers have found the remains of a tramper police believe to be Marni Sheppeard, who was reported missing in January.

Searchers looking for missing tramper Marni Sheppeard have located human remains on the West Coast.

The remains were recovered in the Rolleston River area, near Otira, and taken to Christchurch for official identification.

Do you know more? Email newstips@stuff.co.nz

“While an official identification process is yet to be completed, we believe the remains to be that of Ms Sheppeard,” West Coast search and rescue leader Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood said.

* Police focus search for missing tramper Stephanie Simpson near Haast Pass

Police had been appealing for help to find missing Christchurch woman Marni Sheppeard.

* Bad weather hampers search for body of hunter missing since 2017

Police search teams scour the Rolleston River area on the West Coast, where human remains believed to be missing tramper Marni Sheppeard were recovered on Saturday.

Her next of kin in Australia had been informed, he said.

“This is obviously not the outcome we were hoping for but, pending confirmation, will bring some closure to Ms Sheppeard's family and friends.”

Police search teams during their search of the Rolleston River area on the West Coast.

Sheppeard’s mother, Ailsa Sheppeard, said she was awaiting the DNA results but was too upset to give further comment.

She had only heard her daughter was missing in February.

The last contact she had was a postcard sent with a picture from Hanmer Springs that read: “I hope all is well”.

Marni Sheppeard, left, was rescued with her friend Sonja Rendell in 2003 after they became stranded in Arthur's Pass.

Sheppeard was officially reported missing in January, however she was last heard from on November 19, 2020, when she posted a photo of herself on Twitter saying she was “off to the mountains”.

Inquiries were conducted and information was sought from the public.

In March, a member of the public gave police an entry from the “intentions book” at the Waimakariri Falls Hut, dated November 11, 2020.

“It had Ms Sheppeard's name on it and suggested she was likely heading to the Waimakariri Col, Rolleston River or Hunts Creek.”

A helicopter with observers on board searched the area and then a drone team from Urban Search and Rescue flew the area recording images which were analysed.

“Nothing of note was seen however several areas of interest were identified which assisted in the planning of the ground operation.

“The search area contained high alpine and bush areas, gorges with waterfalls and boulder fields, which was to be a challenge for search teams.”

Three field teams which included LandSAR volunteers and police, two CanyonSar teams, Alpine Cliff Rescue, two police dogs and a LandSAR dog with their handlers were deployed into the area by Precision Helicopters.

“We would like to thank the dedicated search teams and the members of the public who came forward with information,” Kirkwood said.

Sheppeard previously went missing in 2003, when she was stranded on an exposed ridge in Arthur’s Pass National Park for eight days while on a tramp with a friend.