Body found in New Zealand

New Zealand police believe a body recovered from a beach on the country’s west coast is former McMaster University student Joanna Lam. But so far there’s been no sign of her companion Connor Hayes.

Melissa Raftis has been following this story is live with the latest developments.

24-year old Lam and 25-year old Hayes were last seen at Fox Glacier on September 10th.

On Friday, New Zealand police issued a release saying they found a woman’s body on a beach between Haast and Knights Point which is on the west coast of the country’s south island.

Police say they believe the body is Lam’s but will not confirm until a formal ID has been completed. Next of kin have been notified of the discovery and on Friday, Lam’s brother Jeffrey took to Twitter to express his gratitude to those who helped search for the pair. He writes: “We’re so thankful to the volunteers and New Zealand police. We love u so much. Let’s find Connor and bring you home together.”

Lam is a graduate of the Mohawk College, McMaster University joint medical radiation science program. And Friday, the associate dean issued us a statement saying they are deeply saddened by the news of this event.

Two days ago New Zealand police found their wrecked rental vehicle wrapped around a boulder near the beach where the body was discovered. They say they believe the couple either drove over a cliff inadvertently or were swept off by a landslide.

As the search for Connor Hayes continues, messages of condolences continue to pour in on social media.