A police investigation has been launched after the body of a five-year-old boy was found at a beach in Napier overnight.
Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley of Hawke's Bay Crime Squad said the boy went missing in the Westshore area sometime between 6pm and 8.30pm on Thursday.
Police received reports of a body in the water off The Esplanade, Westshore around 8.25pm Thursday.
The boy's body was found in the water around 1.30am this morning following a search by police and the Coastguard.
Anyone who was in Westshore – in particular Charles and Gardiner streets and the Ferguson Ave Surf Life Saving Club area – and saw an unattended child on Thursday night or had CCTV footage was asked to contact police on 105 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
A formal identification process was underway and the death would be referred to the coroner.
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