Missing Christchurch father death case

The story so far

A 21-year-old Christchurch man was reported missing in September, and police and his family were concerned for his welfare. Reports gave different dates for when he was last seen, either 3 or 14 September, and he was last spotted in the Linwood area.^{23, 26 Sep; 23 Oct} Police searched a Linwood house on the corner of England and Hereford streets, believed to be his last known address. His body was later found buried at the rear of a Hereford Street property on 8 October, and police treated the death as unexplained after an inconclusive post-mortem. Police said the man had been asked to leave Christchurch City Mission transitional housing shortly before he disappeared.^{2, 6, 8, 14, 16, 26 Oct} A 60-year-old man has been charged with offering an indignity to the body. A 34-year-old man has also been charged with concealing the body and appeared in Christchurch District Court, with the charges suggesting the man may have died about a month before his body was found.^{12, 22, 23 Oct}

Latest

A 34-year-old man appeared in court on charges of concealing the body, with the charges suggesting the man may have died about a month before the body was found.^{23 Oct} The City Mission has announced an independent review of its care of the man, to be led by an employment lawyer.^{16, 26 Oct}

What's next

The independent review of the City Mission's care of the man is under way, led by an employment lawyer.^{26 Oct}

Key moments

1. 23 SepMissing 21-year-old man reported; last seen in Linwood, police appeal for information.
2. 2 OctPolice cordon off Linwood house at England and Hereford streets for scene examination.
3. 12 OctA 60-year-old man is charged with offering an indignity to the body.
4. 14 OctBody found buried at a Hereford Street property on 8 October.
5. 16 OctCity Mission announces independent review of its care for the man.
6. 23 OctA 34-year-old man appears in court charged with concealing the body.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.