Kim Richmond's alleged killer appears in Hamilton court

A 45-year-old man has appeared in Hamilton District Court charged with murdering Kim Richmond.

About a dozen supporters of the man sat quietly in the courtroom. The man, who has been granted name suppression, was in the dock for a few minutes. He will reappear in Hamilton's High Court on July 4.

Ms Richmond's body was recovered from Lake Arapuni last week, after she disappeared in 2016.

Ms Richmond, a 42-year-old mother of three, disappeared from her Arohena home on July 31.

During the almost year-long search, police scoured Lake Arapuni multiple times.

On Wednesday, her silver Ford Ranger ute was discovered in the lake by a police dive squad. When it was recovered, Ms Richmond's body was found inside.

Police say her family have been informed of the latest development.

Her mother, Raywynne Richmond, declined to comment on the arrest when contacted by Newshub.

Newshub.