Grisly find ends family's hopes

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A murder charge and the discovery of human remains have ended the hopes of the family of a man missing for three years.

Harry Skudder, 38, disappeared in early 2007, leaving behind four young children.

Police believe skeletal remains found near Upper Hutt yesterday could be Mr Skudder. A man has been charged with murdering him on about January 24, 2007.

The remains were pulled out of a ravine, about 18 metres deep, alongside Moonshine Hill Rd about 5.50pm yesterday. Police had been at the scene for most of the day.

Officers had to abseil down to the body, which was pulled up in a yellow bag on a search and rescue stretcher after a Maori priest had blessed the scene.

Mr Skudder's elder brother, Ben Skudder Jr, said the large family were devastated. "We had been hoping for the best," he said.

The family were most concerned to support Mr Skudder's children, the youngest now aged about four or five years. "He wanted to be the best father for his kids."

Harry Skudder's family had lived in the Taita area of Lower Hutt for about five years but in the early 1990s all, except for Harry and one of his five sisters, moved back to the Bay of Plenty.

The young Harry Skudder had been keen on sports, including athletics and rugby league, his brother said. His cousin, Tanerau Latimer, plays for the Chiefs and has been in New Zealand Maori and sevens teams.

His uncle, George Skudder, was an All Black and New Zealand Maori, and he was related by marriage to former New Zealand Maori coach Matt Te Pou.

Ben Skudder said that when Harry disappeared he was living apart from his partner and children but was trying to keep in steady work as a painter and decorator, roofer and labourer, to help support the children.

Family last saw him in about January 2007. When he missed his nephew's 21st birthday in Te Puke his mother came to Wellington to find him and reported his disappearance, Ben Skudder said.

The family are waiting to learn when they will be able to take Harry Skudder home to Te Puke for burial.

Detective Inspector Shane Cotter said: "I know there are people who know the circumstances in which Harry disappeared and I ask for these people to come forward to speak to police."

A man, 26, was charged with Mr Skudder's murder and his name was suppressed yesterday in Lower Hutt District Court. He is due in court again on Thursday.

- © Fairfax NZ News