‘Well preserved’ body of climber returned to family after 42 years

The body of a missing mountain climber has been identified 42 years after he went missing. New Zealander David Erik Moen, 19, was caught in an avalanche in September 1973 on the country’s remote Tasman glacier. It was not until January this year, however, that remains were found and taken for DNA testing. Police have now announced that the tests show the body, which was reportedly “well-preserved” when it was found in the frozen wilderness, is Mr Moen.

We cannot put into words what it feels like to have David returned to us after all this time but we are taken back to when he first went missing back in 1973.

Moen family statement

His father, Erek, died only a few weeks before the discovery of his son’s remains. He died at a rest home in Alexandra on January 30, aged 92 - just over a year after his wife of 62 years died in a Christchurch rest home. Surviving relatives, however, said they were grateful to police for their work. Another set of human remains found at nearby Hochstetter glacier in March are being tested so that the person can be identified but police say this “may take some time”.

David’s spirit still remains in the beautiful, peaceful environment which claimed the life of a wonderful and dearly loved young man in the prime of his life.

Moen family statement

Asia-Pacific New Zealand glacier