Body in Maungakotukutuku Valley confirmed as Raymond Piper

Kapiti Police can tonight confirm that the body found yesterday in the Maungakotukutuku Valley is that of Raymond Piper.

The 23 year-old went missing from his home in Paraparaumu Beach on Saturday 15th May 2010.

Head of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam says a post-mortem examination has been carried out over much of the day and has confirmed that the body we located yesterday is that of Mr Piper. The post-mortem has revealed that Mr Piper died of multiple stab wounds to his chest area.

"Police are returning Mr Piper's body to his family tomorrow, and they will now be able to finally lay Raymond to rest, providing them with some closure."

Local iwi have put a Rahui (a temporary closure) on the collection of food, such as watercress from the Maungakotokutoku Valley stream for the next three days. Iwi are asking members of the public to respect this request, out of courtesy to the family and for health reasons.