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Search for remaining New Zealand volcano victims called off by police

All 13 parties charged over the deadly White Island volcanic eruption in NZ have pleaded not guilty.

All 13 parties charged over the deadly White Island volcanic eruption in NZ have pleaded not guilty. Photo: Twitter/Michael Schade

Another victim of the White Island eruption has been named – a devoted father of three who was on a cruise with his wife celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.

Another Australian victim of the White Island volcano eruption has been named as 43-year-old father Chris Cozad from Sydney.

Mr Cozad, described as a “perfect dad” who doted over his children and wife, became the 16th person to die as a result of the eruption after succumbing to his injuries on December 14, five days after the tragedy struck.

The official death toll of the eruption now sits at 19.

Chris Cozad. Photo: Facebook

New Zealand police have suspended the search for the two remaining victims of the White Island eruption.

They said Tuesday’s move followed “extensive shoreline and substantial aerial searches”.

Police search crews were scouring the ocean near the island for the remains of Australian Winona Langford, 17, and New Zealand citizen Hayden Marshall-Inman, 40, who were unaccounted for and presumed dead following the disaster more than two weeks ago.

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said in a statement the search was called on Tuesday afternoon, local time.

“This decision follows extensive shoreline and substantial aerial searches from east of White Island to north of Cape Runaway,” he said.

“Sadly no further items of significance have been located.

“Police remain ready to respond if new information comes to light.”

Winona, from Sydney, was travelling with parents Kristine and Anthony Langford, who died in the eruption, and her brother Jesse, who is being treated in hospital.

Mr Marshall-Inman’s death was confirmed by his brother Mark in a post on social media.

The Whakatane tour guide was remembered as a “lovely young man” who died doing what he loved.

Last week police said it was possible the remains of Winona and Mr Marshall-Inman could have drifted about 70 kilometres from the island and might never be found.

The official death toll from the eruption stands at 17, after police on Monday confirmed the death of another victim in a New Zealand hospital.

The bodies of Adelaide teenager Zoe Dallow and her stepfather Gavin, who were killed in the volcanic eruption, have been repatriated to Australia.

Mr Dallow’s body arrived in Adelaide on Monday, while Zoe’s body was taken to Melbourne on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the family said funeral arrangements were still being made, and the memorials were expected to take place in the new year.

The official death toll from the eruption stands at 17, following the death of an unnamed patient in a New Zealand hospital on Sunday. US media has reported that patient was an American woman.

White Island tragedy: Confirmed dead

  1. Krystal Eve Browitt, 21, Melbourne
  2. Tīpene James Te Rangi Ataahua Maangi, 24, New Zealander
  3. Zoe Ella Hosking, 15, Adelaide
  4. Gavin Brian Dallow, 53, Adelaide
  5. Anthony James Langford, 51, Sydney
  6. Kristine Elizabeth Langford, 45, Sydney.
  7. Matthew Robert Hollander, 13, US citizen, Australian permanent resident, Sydney
  8. Berend “Ben” Lawrence Hollander, 16, US citizen, Australian permanent resident, Sydney
  9. Martin Berend Hollander, 48, Sydney
  10. Barbara Jean Hollander, 49, US citizen, Australian permanent resident, Sydney
  11. Karla Michelle Mathews, 32, Coffs Harbour
  12. Jason David Griffiths, 33, Coffs Harbour
  13. 13. Richard “Rick” Aaron Elzer, 32, Coffs Harbour
  14. Jessica Richards, 20, Brisbane
  15. Julie Richards, 47, Brisbane
  16. Chris Cozad, who died in a Sydney hospital on December 14.
  17. Unnamed patient who died in a New Zealand hospital on December 22. US media have said she was an American woman.

Missing, presumed dead:

  1. Winona Jane Langford, 17, Sydney
  2. Hayden Bryan Marshall-Inman, 40, Whakatane

-with agencies

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