Missing man linked to 'unexplained' body in car at derelict North ...

Police descended on a derelict North Canterbury property on Monday night after a body was found in a car in “unexplained” circumstances.

The car parked in the garage of the Tyler St, Rangiora property is linked to missing man Richard Leman. The boot appears to have been wrenched open.

According to neighbours, no-one has lived in the property since last year. Windows are missing or boarded up, an external door is gone, much of the guttering appears to have been torn down, bushes are growing over the moss-covered roof and an external tap continuously drips.

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Leman, a 41-year-old father of three, was last seen at some local shops a week ago, on the night of April 11. Fearing for his safety and mental health, his family had since been trying to find him, passing on any information to “under-resourced” police.

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As investigators searched the Tyler St property on Tuesday, two women showed up in tears, hugging as they spoke to police. One could be heard saying “it’s my stepdad”.

A nearby resident said a teenage boy and a young woman knocked on her door about 5pm on Monday and asked if she knew there was a stolen car in the Tyler St property’s garage.

At that stage the garage door was shut.

The woman said she did not think anything of it until several hours later when police and firefighters turned up and forced their way into the garage.

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A body was found in a car at a derelict property in Rangiora. The car is linked to missing man Richard Leman.

“It was too weird a coincidence.”

Police said they were called to the address about 7.40pm.

Another resident said about 11pm, officers came to her house asking for a crowbar and a hammer, so they could rip down a section of the Tyler St property to get better access to the garage.

They removed a section of the exterior corrugated iron fence, near the garage, then erected a tent a short time later.

One neighbour called the property an “eyesore”. Another described it as “dodgy” and “suspicious”, and wondered if it was a “crack house”.

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The property is abandoned and has several broken windows. Residents say police visit neighbouring properties regularly.

On Tuesday, officers went door-to-door in the area looking for clues about what had happened.

Detectives appeared interested in security cameras mounted on the exterior of the house opposite the scene, emerging from the property with hard drives.

A police tent and two spotlights were set up on Durham St with part of the road cordoned off and armed police standing guard.

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Forty-one-year-old Richard Leman has been missing since April 11. Now the car he was driving has been found at a derelict property in Rangiroa.

Leman was last seen at the LilyBrook Shops in Rangiora, a town 30 minutes north of Christchurch. Since that sighting he has not been seen nor contacted family or friends.

Canterbury police did not publish a missing person notice, but Leman’s family recently posted on Facebook and Givealittle in the hope it would help track him down.

Posting on Givealittle, his sister Nicola Leman said: “He may look rough and tough but he is a big baby at heart.”

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Richard Leman’s family have used social media to try and drum up publicity about his disappearance.

She said he was a “mummy’s boy” who loves his three sons, his parents and wider family.

“Our little brother Richard has the kindest heart, loves his children, loves his family and would do anything to help others. We just want him home,” she wrote.

Leman said the family took on the search because police were under-resourced. They were providing any and all information to police, she said.

“We couldn't just sit and do nothing.”

The family said they had been following up on possible sightings, putting out flyers and searching daily.

A Givealittle was published to cover his personal costs, plus search related costs until he is found.

On Tuesday, the family declined to comment.

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People being comforted outside the Tyler St property in Rangiora where police are investigating an unexplained death.

Residents could expect a continued police presence on Tuesday as officers conducted further inquiries, police said.

Kāinga Ora confirmed it purchased the property last month with the intention to redevelop the site. It said there were no plans to tenant the property.