Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey says that the body of an 87 year old woman was located in the Avon River between the Colombo Street Bridge and Old Victoria Street Bridge in Victoria Square at 12.15 pm this afternoon.
The woman has been identified and the name will not be released until such stage as the extended family have been advised.
A Post Mortem has been conducted and the results of this Post Mortem are not available at this stage.
The scene will remain cordoned over night.
Detective Senior Sergeant Harvey asks anyone who may have seen an elderly woman wearing a burgundy coloured top and blue trousers, in the general vicinity of Victoria Square between the hours of 11.00 am and 12.15 pm to contact the Christchurch Central Police Station on telephone 3637 476.
Detective Senior Sergeant Harvey is available to be contacted after 9.00 am on Tuesday 3 April 2007.