Braydon Hepworth: Where police found the body of missing young father

New details have emerged about the discovery of Braydon Hepworth’s remains more than a month after the young Christchurch father was last seen alive.

The Herald has learned that Hepworth was buried beneath a shed in a vacant property behind the flat of an associate described by a source as one of the last people to have contact with the missing man.

The 21-year-old’s body was found soon after police executed a search warrant at the flat.

It had been there for some time.

A post-mortem examination was inconclusive about the exact cause of Hepworth’s death.

The property where Braydon Hepworth's body was found. Photo / Jazlyn Whales

Police are now waiting on further test results which they hope will shed more light on what happened to him.

A 60-year-old man has been charged with making a false statement to police and “improperly offering an indignity” to a dead human body.

The alleged offender appeared in court briefly on Saturday morning.

He was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody until his next court appearance on October 29.

The police investigation into Hepworth’s death is ongoing.

Last week the source described the case as “complex” and said it would take some time to piece together Hepworth’s final moments and what happened after he died.

Hepworth’s last known address was a boarding house just 100m from where his body was found.

Police also searched that property last week.

Hepworth, who had diabetes and relied on daily medication, had also spent time living at the Christchurch City Mission.

One of the last known images of Braydon Hepworth. Photo / NZ Police

City Missioner Corinne Haines said today that she was “deeply saddened” to learn about Hepworth’s death.

“Braydon was supported by the Christchurch City Mission until he left our transitional accommodation in mid-July, and this news has been particularly difficult for a number of our staff who came to know and care for him,” she said.

“Throughout the time Braydon was with us, we sought to provide him with care, stability and support, while also recognising our responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment for all those using our services.

“We offered Braydon a place in our transitional housing facility, which supports single adult men and women as they work towards more permanent social or private housing.“

Haines said when a person was in the “care” of the City Mission they were “connected with a range of support services” and participated in “personal development programmes”.

“Our transitional housing is a communal environment and is generally intended to provide support for up to 90 days. In Braydon’s case, we extended his stay for considerably longer because we believed the additional time and support would benefit him,” she said.

The property where Hepworth's body was found in Christchurch. Photo / Google

Haines said claims that Hepworth was required to leave transitional housing “because his room was untidy” was “not an accurate representation of what occurred”.

“Our services support many people with complex needs, and there are occasions when we must ask someone to leave accommodation because important behavioural expectations have repeatedly not been met,” she said.

“These decisions are not made lightly and must take into account the wellbeing and safety of the individual concerned, other residents and our staff.

“When someone leaves our transitional housing service, we look to offer other accommodation options such our emergency accommodation, and our navigators also seek to maintain contact with and offer support to those who are asked to leave.

“This further support was extended to Braydon. Out of respect for Braydon’s privacy, we do not intend to comment further on his specific circumstances.”

Haines extended her “deepest sympathies” to Hepworth’s family.

“And to all those who knew and cared about him, we are deeply sorry for their loss,” she said.

“We are also grateful that, during the period Braydon was with the City Mission, we were able to provide him with accommodation, care and support.”

Braydon Hepworth was last seen in Christchurch on September 3. Photo / Supplied

Haines was confident in the current team at the City Mission and “in the professional standard of care they provide”.

“Our clients often have significant and complex needs, and our aim is to combine professional practice with the personal care, dignity and compassion that have always been at the heart of the Christchurch City Mission,” she said.

Two Givealittle pages have been set up to help Hepworth’s family. One has been set up by a friend of his mother to “help take some of that financial stress off … while trying to navigate through this tragic time of her life”.

More than $1200 has been donated so far.

Another has been set up by Hepworth’s father to help pay for his eventual headstone. So far, $925 has been donated.

Hepworth’s family are yet to speak about his death.

Over the weekend, the grandfather of Hepworth’s 9-month-old daughter posted a heartfelt final message to the 21-year-old on social media.

“I need to let you know how much you meant to us,” he wrote in a letter to Hepworth.

“I want to thank you for coming into our lives and becoming such a special part of our family.

“When we first met you, you were a very quiet young man. You kept to yourself, and it took time for you to open up. But as the days went by, that silence slowly turned into a voice, your confidence grew, and we got to see the beautiful person you truly were.

“We welcomed you into our family with open arms. We helped you learn to cook, clean, get things organised, and navigate life’s challenges. We supported you in so many ways, but what you may never have realised is just how much you gave back to us in return.”

Braydon Hepworth. Photo / NZ Police

He said Hepworth “became a symbol of strength, love, courage, and support” within the family.

“Your smile could light up a room, and your presence brought something special into our home that words can never fully explain,” he said.

“You weren’t just someone who came into our lives. You became family. You became one of our own. You became someone we loved deeply.”

He said the last time he saw Hepworth, the 21-year-old was “having such a wonderful time” at a family party.

“Talking with family, running around with all the kids, laughing, joking, and being your bright, bubbly, excited self. Seeing you happy that day is a memory I’ll treasure forever,” he said.

“Little did we know how precious that moment would become.

“It breaks my heart knowing that the future we imagined has changed forever. There were still so many moments we wanted to share with you, so many laughs left to have, and so many memories we thought we still had time to make.”

He thanked Hepworth for his kindness, love, laughter and “every single memory”.

“I hope you knew how loved you were. I hope you understood that you always had a place in our family, and that no matter what life threw at you, you mattered to us more than words could ever explain,” he said.

“I wish we could have had more time … I wish we could have one more conversation, one more laugh, one more moment with you.

“We love you to the moon and back, Braydon. Today, tomorrow, and for all the days that follow. No amount of time, no distance, and no heartbreak will ever erase the memories we have of you.”

Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch issues and national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz.