Grace Millane murder probe: Detectives identify ‘location of interest’

A "location of interest" has been identified by detectives probing the murder of British backpacker Grace Millane in New Zealand.

Auckland City Police Detective Inspector Scott Beard said a scene examination was under way at a bush area on Scenic Drive, a countryside road on the city's outskirts.

A missing person search took a tragic turn on Saturday when investigators announced that they believed the 22-year-old, who was last seen alive on December 1, had been murdered.

A 26-year-old man is due to be charged with the killing and police had been probing the movements of a vehicle around the time Ms Millane, from Essex, disappeared.

"Police investigating the murder of English tourist Grace Millane have identified a location of interest," Det Insp Beard said in a statement.

"This is a methodical and slow process and is expected to take all day.

"At this stage we are not able to confirm whether Grace has been located at this site."

A stretch of the road has been closed while investigators search the area.