Skeletal remains found near Dunedin identified as beloved grandfather and fisherman

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

Human remains found near Dunedin in March have been identified as those of Murray Allen Wakefield, who went missing last year.

Skeletal remains found near Dunedin in March have been identified as those of a grandfather and fisherman who went missing almost a year ago.

Murray Allen Wakefield, 55, was reported missing by his whānau from the Port Chalmers area on May 13 last year.

A search party was launched for the keen fisherman, with police, search and rescue, the police national dive quad, the coastguard, and surf lifesaving combing the land and the sea from Deborah Bay to Taiaroa Heads to find the grandfather of seven.

They were unsuccessful, and about a week later his whānau posted to Facebook saying they believed he had died.

“Always spreading smiles, and often the life at any party,” the family member wrote.

They said Tangaroa, the Māori god of the sea, had not released his body, but it was time to mourn his death.

Tributes flowed from all over the country, with fellow fishermen and coastal communities holding wakes for him.

Ten months later skeletal remains were found on the Portobello coastline and on Wednesday police confirmed they belonged to Wakefield.

Wakefield’s whānau have been notified, and his death has been referred to the coroner, a police spokesperson said.