A body found in the water near Moutohorā Island, north of Whakatāne, has been identified as a woman who jumped into a river while fleeing police near Ōpōtiki on Sunday.
It comes after a driver ran a red light in the Wainui area at around 3.45am on Sunday and failed to stop when signalled to by police.
The vehicle came to a stop after road spikes were deployed about 10km from Ōpōtiki shortly after 4am.
The car came to a stop down Snell Rd by the Ōtara River mouth and Waioeka River mouth connection where a man and woman jumped into the water.
Police earlier today said a 33-year-old man had been found at an address in Gisborne where he was arrested without incident.
In an update this evening, police said a body had been found near Moutohorā Island, north of Whakatāne.
Police were called to the area about 1.15pm after the body was found in the water by a member of the public.
The body was formally identified as the 36-year-old woman who entered the Ōtara River mouth and Waioeka River mouth on Sunday. Her death will be referred to the coroner.
"Police would like to thank our partner agencies, searchers, and the community for their efforts to return her to whānau. Our thoughts are with her whānau at this time."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified, as is standard procedure.
Anyone with information was asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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