The body of an Americian university student, missing since ANZAC day, has been found in Makarora's Young Valley near Wanaka.
Mt Aspiring National Park Photo: Robert Harding
Allison Willen, who was 20 years old, was from Akron, Ohio and had last been seen on the Gillespie Pass track on April 25th.
Wanaka Police and Land Search and Rescue teams searched for three days but had to wait for water levels in the Young Valley to recede to continue after it was called off earlier in the week because of poor weather.
Today, 20 specialist Land and Marine SAR teams, including Coastguard, searched for Ally Willen. She was found in a river near where her backpack and rain coat were located earlier in the week.
Her father and uncle had come from the United States to help with the search.
Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said he was pleased to be able to provide some comfort and closure for her family.
In an earlier statement the Willen family said Ally, who was doing an international studies course at Otago University, will be remembered as a vibrant and adventurous spirit.
The police have referred the death to the coroner
