Family dispute ends in body's identification

An Auckland man whose remains were identified this week, 22 years after he went missing probably took his own life, police say.

Lino Leger's body was found in the Waitakere Ranges, west Auckland, by pig hunters in February last year.

He went missing in 1987 after an argument with family, Henderson Detective Sergeant Roger Small said today.

"Unfortunately it appears he's taken his own life."

Mr Leger was never reported missing and a facial reconstruction played a major role in his identification.

After extensive media coverage of the images, a flurry of friends and family contacted police, Mr Small said.

Police were in the process of obtaining DNA from Mr Leger's family at the time.

"The facial reconstruction...was a fantastic assistance in this case -- ultimately DNA confirmed the identity after the media coverage."

Mr Leger's family have since buried his remains.

Mr Small said there was a "huge list" of missing people and family members, "whether estranged or not", should always be reported if missing.