Police locate vehicle and bodies during search

Christchurch Police searching for two missing women have this morning located their vehicle, with two deceased persons inside.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill says the bodies have not yet been formally identified but they are likely to be those of missing persons Marilyn Zidich, aged 62, and her daughter Selina Madden, aged 35.

The vehicle, a grey Fiat Tipo hatchback, was located during a foot search this morning. It was found in dense scrub, approximately 70 metres below Dyers Pass Road, 1.5 kilometres on the Christchurch side of the summit.

Police will be working to recover the vehicle and bodies later this afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hill says the deaths will be reported to the Coroner, who will make a determination as to the cause of death.

He also expressed thanks to members of the public who had contacted Police with information and possible sightings of the missing vehicle.