Denver Chance murder accused loses name suppression

The man charged with the murder of Auckland man Denver Chance has lost name suppression.

Jay Christopher Lingman appeared at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, where his lawyer said he pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

Mr Chance was last seen alive driving away from his home in Mairangi Bay on the North Shore on February 24.

Police over the weekend narrowed their search to Kingseat, near Pukekohe in Auckland's south, using CCTV footage and cellphone data.

His body was found at an address in Kingseat.

Det Snr Sgt Megan Goldie said thoughts were with Mr Chance's family and friends.

"Their worst fears have now been realised and they are absolutely devastated.

"Our focus throughout the investigation was finding Denver and being able to provide his family with answers.

"This is not the outcome any of us wanted, but at least we are now able to return Denver to his family and hold the person allegedly responsible for his death to account."

Lingman will go to trial in May 2020.

Newshub.