Missing American aviation student found safe in Palmerston North

Wednesday 11 June 2025 · 6 outlets · 8 reports · updated Wed 11 Jun 2025, 6:35pm

In this story Massey University

William Henry Johnson, a 24-year-old Massey University student from the United States, has been located safe and well. He had been missing in Palmerston North since between 30 May and 1 June. Private investigators had been searching for him after he lost contact with his family.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffWed 11 Jun 2025, 5:00am

   Father’s plea after US aviation student goes missing in NZ (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsWed 11 Jun 2025, 7:28am

   Appeal for info on missing 24-year-old student from US (opens in new tab)

   • 'No immediate concerns' for missing US student (opens in new tab) Wed 11 Jun 2025, 7:28am
3. NZ HeraldWed 11 Jun 2025, 11:33am

   Will Johnson’s disappearance ‘traumatising’ for family - investigator (opens in new tab)

   • Private investigators say there’s no concerns for safety of missing US aviation student, William Henry Johnson (opens in new tab) Wed 11 Jun 2025, 2:25pm
   • Missing US aviation student William Henry Johnson found safe in Palmerston North (opens in new tab) Wed 11 Jun 2025, 6:35pm
4. Otago Daily TimesWed 11 Jun 2025, 11:52am

   Missing student's mother flies in from US (opens in new tab)

5. RNZWed 11 Jun 2025, 5:45pm

   Missing student Will Johnson found safe and well - investigators (opens in new tab)