NZ police believe Grace Millane was murdered

Auckland City police are treating the disappearance of Lincoln graduate Grace Millane as murder — and she has yet to be located.

She was last seen leaving her Citylife backpackers hotel on the evening of Saturday, December 1, and has not been seen since.

Detectives checked Grace’s belongings that were found at the backpackers where she was staying.

Several of her belongings, including her passport are missing and police believe it is likely that Grace had these items with her.

On Saturday, December 8, at around 3pm NZ time, a 26 year-old man was located at a central Auckland address by police.

He was charged with her murder later in the day.

Grace Millane, 22, was former vice captain of the University of Lincoln Hockey Club and an Advertising and Marketing graduate.

A confirmed sighting of Grace on December 1, the day she was last seen. Photo: New Zealand Police

Detective Inspector Scott Beard of Auckland City Police said: “Sadly, the evidence we have gathered to this point of the enquiry has established that this is a homicide.

“Grace’s family have been advised of this development and they are devastated.

“The man is still being spoken to at this point.

“Obviously this means that we are treating Grace’s disappearance as a homicide investigation.

“We still do not know where Grace is. We are determined to find her and return her to her family.

“Today we have identified and secured a vehicle of interest and we are now making enquiries to find out exactly where that vehicle has been.

“Earlier today we released images of Grace’s watch and necklace. Her passport is also missing.

“I know that the thoughts of all New Zealanders will be with Grace’s family tonight and I want to reassure everyone both here and abroad, that NZ Police are determined to do everything we can to find Grace.”

Grace’s necklace is described as silver and round with a green stone in the middle of it.

Grace’s watch is a pale pink Casio Baby-G.