Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stephanie Simpson: Missing British hiker found dead in New Zealand

The 32-year-old’s body is found in national park where she disappeared

Chiara Giordano
Friday 14 February 2020 08:18 GMT
Comments
Body of missing British hiker Stephanie Simpson found in New Zealand

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Missing British hiker Stephanie Simpson has been found dead in New Zealand.

Her body was discovered in the Pyke Creek area of Mount Aspiring National Park, where she went missing several days ago, at about 1.40pm on Friday, Sergeant Mark Kirkwood of West Coast Search and Rescue said.

Searchers had earlier found items thought to belong to Ms Simpson in the Pyke Creek area, including a backpack and a pair of boots.

Sgt Kirkwood said police extended their condolences to Ms Simpson’s family “at this tragic time”.

He added: “The family are understandably grieving and they have asked media to respect their request for privacy during this difficult time.

“Police would also like to thank everyone involved in the search since it began on Monday for their considerable efforts to locate Stephanie.

“The search was extremely challenging at times, especially in consideration of the terrain, and the work of all involved is to be commended.”

The death will be referred to the coroner.

Ms Simpson, 32, from the Basildon area of Essex, was reported missing on Monday after she did not turn up to her job as a gardener in the Wanaka area, where she had been living.

She had told friends she had planned to go hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park at the weekend.

A close friend told the New Zealand Herald that her decision to head out into the mountains was just “another weekend” of hiking for Ms Simpson.

“She’s strong, she’s fit, she’s capable – she’s worked in the outdoors, she knows what she’s up to,” she said, adding: “She’s a really beautiful, kind-hearted person.

“She can make friends in an instant, she’s awesome. She’s just here to [hike] and see the country.”

Ms Simpson was the third traveller to have gone missing in the southwest region of New Zealand’s South Island after heavy rain caused rivers to swell and damaged a number of trails.

On Friday, the bodies of two hikers, a man and a woman, were pulled from the Makora river, close to where Ms Simpson was believed to have been walking.

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in