Police have formally identified a man located deceased in a car in the Waikato River last year.

"He was Michael Murdoch, aged 44, from Ngāruawāhia, who had been missing since September 2019," police said in a statement.

Michael’s body was found in his car in the Waikato River on August 13, 2024, by a company which removes wrecked cars and other hazardous materials from the river.

"Formally identifying Michael was a complex and lengthy process, due to having been in the river for a significant period of time."

Michael’s death is being treated as unexplained and has been referred to the Coroner.