九一星空无限

ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Up next
ZB

Investigator says missing US student 'appears to be safe' despite ongoing police search

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 2:56pm
Private investigators are searching for missing aviation student William Henry Johnson, last seen in Palmerston North. Photo / RNZ
Private investigators are searching for missing aviation student William Henry Johnson, last seen in Palmerston North. Photo / RNZ

Investigator says missing US student 'appears to be safe' despite ongoing police search

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 2:56pm

Private investigators searching for a United States aviation student who went missing from Palmerston North say there is no longer any concern for his safety.

Massey University student William Henry Johnson, known as Will to friends and family, was last seen by friends between May 30 and June 1 in the Takaro area.

Private investigator Mike Gillam, of The Investigators New Zealand, was hired by Johnson鈥檚 parents to look for him.

鈥淔ollowing extensive investigations and recent developments, we now have no immediate concerns for William鈥檚 physical safety or wellbeing,鈥 Gillam said in a statement today.

鈥淲hile we cannot release specific details at this time, information received during the investigation indicates that William appears to be safe.鈥

Police are still investigating Johnson鈥檚 disappearance.

Private investigators are searching for missing aviation student William Henry Johnson, last seen in Palmerston North. Photo / RNZ
Private investigators are searching for missing aviation student William Henry Johnson, last seen in Palmerston North. Photo / RNZ

Earlier, Gillam said Johnson鈥檚 last communication with his family was on June 5.

The 24-year-old had not responded to any attempts at contact, which was 鈥渃ompletely out of character鈥 and Johnson鈥檚 family were concerned.

Gillam said a team of investigators was involved in the search around Palmerston North and Auckland, which Johnson was known to make 鈥渙ff the cuff鈥 trips to.

Investigators were particularly focused on the timeline between May 30 and June 1 when Johnson was last seen by friends.

Johnson drove a 2013 silver Mazda 6, registration MJK496, which was also missing and could provide leads to his whereabouts, Gillam said.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you