Missing Russian stuntman identified after 22 years at Lake Taupō

Tuesday 20 May 2025 · 6 outlets · 5 reports · updated Tue 20 May 2025, 12:13pm

Artour Melikov, a Russian stuntman who went missing in 2002, has been formally identified. Police say public information and photos helped identify remains found near Bulli Point at Lake Taupō.

How they headlined it

10:27am12:13pm

1. Waikato Times via StuffTue 20 May 2025, 10:27am

   Decades-old mystery of Russian stuntman missing in NZ solved (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsTue 20 May 2025, 10:50am

   Missing Russian stuntman formally identified after two decades (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldTue 20 May 2025, 10:54am

   Lake Taupō mystery: Photos identify missing Russian stuntman Artour Melikov after 22 years (opens in new tab)

4. RNZTue 20 May 2025, 11:07am

   Cold case mystery of missing Russian stuntman finally resolved, thanks to his gold teeth (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesTue 20 May 2025, 12:13pm

   Cold case mystery of missing stuntman solved (opens in new tab)