Police have suspended the search for missing Christchurch man Peter John Crowther.
A search team has spent the past three days searching an area of bush in Arthur's Pass National Park, near the Mount White bridge, close to where Mr Crowther's car was located on Sunday.
Mr Crowther was last seen at about 4pm on Friday 14 June at his workplace in Addington. He has not been in contact with family since that time, and no sightings have been reported.
Detective Inspector Dave Long of Christchurch Police says Police do not hold out any realistic prospect of finding the missing man alive in the area which has been searched.
"As a result of our enquiries, including discussions with Mr Crowther's family about his personal circumstances prior to going missing, we believe it is most likely that he is deceased.
"There is no indication of any suspicious circumstances or foul play in Mr Crowther's disappearance.
"Pending further inquiries, the disappearance is likely to be referred to the Coroner."
Detective Inspector Long says Mr Crowther's family were briefed late this afternoon on the search operation, and on the decision to suspend the search.
ENDS
NOTE: Mr Crowther's family have requested privacy and ask that news media do not contact them.