Police identify body found in Wellington's Evans Bay as Joseph Nansen

A police dive team in action.
A police dive team in action. Photo credit: File

Police have identified the body pulled from the water in Evans Bay in Wellington.

Police were told about the body at 12:40pm on Tuesday and brought it ashore at the Evans Bay Marina.

He's now been confirmed as 45-year-old Joseph Nansen. Police are still investigating his death, which remains unexplained.

A police dive squad has been searching underwater and have found a number of items which are being examined.

Police are also asking the public for help to find several items of clothing linked to Nansen.

CCTV footage shows a man matching Nansen's description near the Evans Bay yacht club around 11pm on Saturday May 2. This man was seen close to where Nansen's body was found.

"The man was carrying a dark or black backpack, and police have yet to recover this," says Detective Senior Sergeant Barry Bysouth.

"Recovery of this backpack is significant to the investigation, and police would ask anyone who may have picked it up, or if anyone sees a dark backpack discarded in the area, to please contact police.

"We are also looking for a number of items of clothing - a light-coloured hoodie, dark leather (or similar) jacket, dark trousers, and dark shoes with white or light-coloured soles."

Anyone with information about Nansen's death or who finds any items of interest is asked to get in touch with police on 105.