Police appeal for sightings of missing Christchurch man Braydon Hepworth

StuffNZ Herald1NewsThe PressSaturday 26 September 2026 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated
Photo: NZ Herald (opens in new tab)

Police and family are searching for 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth, who has not been seen since 3 September. He was last spotted at a Linwood service station. Despite extensive inquiries, officers have been unable to locate him and are urgently seeking public assistance.

Key facts

4 facts
  • Missing person: Braydon Hepworth, 21, from ChristchurchStuffNZ Herald
  • Last confirmed sighting: 3 September at a Linwood service stationStuffNZ Herald1NewsThe Press
  • Medical condition: Type 1 diabetes, insulin dependentStuff
  • Police file number: 260918/8420Stuff1NewsThe Press

The full story

1 min read · 4 outlets

Police are urgently appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of 21-year-old Braydon Hepworth, who has been missing from Christchurch since early September. The last confirmed sighting of Hepworth occurred on 3 September at a service station in Linwood. He was captured on security footage wearing overhead earphones and a Monster Energy beanie.StuffNZ Herald1NewsThe Press

Authorities and family members have serious concerns for Hepworth's welfare, noting that his disappearance is "extremely out of character for him". Hepworth is a father to a nine-month-old daughter and has type 1 diabetes. His mother, Char Huntley, stated he is insulin dependent and relies on medication to stay alive.Stuff1NewsThe Press

Police have conducted extensive inquiries to locate him, but these efforts have been unsuccessful to date. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 105 using file number 260918/8420.StuffNZ Herald1NewsThe Press

How it developed

  • Sun 27 Sep, 11:20amA friend reported seeing Hepworth on 14 September, and a spokesperson noted he was reported missing on 15 September.The Press

Where reports differ

  • Reports vary on when Hepworth was last seen, with some citing 3 September and others citing 14 September.StuffThe Press
  • One report states he has been missing since mid-September, while others state he has been missing since 3 September.StuffThe Press

Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald, 1News and The Press.

How they headlined it

First reported by Stuff, Sat 26 Sep, 5:05pm · 4 reports from 4 outlets over 17 hours
  1. StuffStuff

    Police issue fresh appeal for missing Christchurch man last seen three weeks ago (opens in new tab)

  2. NZ HeraldNZ Herald

    Braydon Hepworth missing from Christchurch: Police send urgent appeal (opens in new tab)

  3. 1News1News

    Appeal for sightings of missing man last seen three weeks ago (opens in new tab)

  4. The PressThe Press

    ‘Extremely out of character’: Family search for missing Christchurch man (opens in new tab)