The missing teenager....

They found a body in the Waimakiriri River That is so so heartbreaking, it brings tears to my eyes.

I've just read that as well! Though they're saying they can't confirm the identity or gender at this stage.

Sooo sooo sad though! It wasn't looking hopeful from the start . That poor girl and her family/friends.

Oh no! I was really hoping she would be ok

That is so awful!!! It hits harder now I am a parent! I was driving over the Waimak bridge the other day as the searchers were setting off. It sent a chill down my spine. Actually seeing them search made it too real

It's so sad, there are some sick bastards that live in this world.
Feel so sorry for her family .

Oh, that's so sad

It makes me feel ill. The poor girl and her family.

OMG that is soo sad!!

From the one news website :

Body in river believed to be teen
Apr 17, 2008 12:53 PM

The search for a missing Christchurch teenager appears to be over and it has ended with the news Marie Davis' family had been dreading.

Police divers found a female body in the Waimakariri River north of the city on Thursday morning.

They cannot officially confirm it's the missing 15-year-old.

A friend of the family told ONE News that Marie's mother told them police had found a bag which the mother confirmed was her daughter's. The bag was found about eight kilometres up the Waimakariri River from the main road on Thursday morning. The body was found down river about four kilometres away from the discovery of the bag.

Later, a hearse made its way along a rough riverbank carrying out a body from the police crime scene.

Family and friends have no doubt it's most likely Marie.

"It's not looking good and I think we've all come to realise that it's not a good outcome," says Nick Donald, Marie's cousin.

A neighbour and friend, Roriana Falgar, says what makes it so difficult is that the 15-year-old had harmed no-one.

"And that's why it's hard for family and friends to try and understand why someone would do this to her. And they do need to come forward 'cause they will be caught, they will be caught," says Falgar .

Police divers found the body a few kilometres north of an area they had cordoned off when they first began searching the Waimakariri area.

They have now stepped up activity there but at a media conference would not say if they have now launched a homicide inquiry.

Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas says police do not want to put labels on the inquiry.

"Labels aren't important at this stage."

But they are still appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area two weeks ago to come forward.

"We believe someone out there can assist in progressing this investigation further," says Le Bas.

That is what Marie's family want too.

"We're pretty grief stricken so it's really really hard," says Donald.

He says he is unsure if police have any suspects.

"But someone knows something out there and they really do need to come forward."

Neighbours says they couldn't have wished for a better neighbour than Maire Davis.

"She was a beautiful young girl who had a big heart for people, animals and if it is, she's going to be sadly missed by a lot of people no doubt," says Falgar.

Students at the teen's school, Papanui High School, were given the news in a note from the principal, Denis Pyatt.

"It gives us a glimpse of an end in sight, and that's important, because up 'til now what has been very difficult for students and staff to deal with is the total lack of certainty and this will give us [that]," says Pyatt.

"Now we can actually start the process of grieving and that's important for students to do that."

Police say they are continuing to re-interview friends and acquaintances but will not say if there's anyone they are investigating.

They also say they will not be releasing any details on the cause of death until after a post mortem which is likely on Friday.