Missing Russian stuntman formally identified after two decades

1News

20-05-2025

The remains of a Russian stuntman who had been missing for nearly 23 years have been formally identified thanks to useful information sent in by the public, police say.
Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on September 10, 2002. Police located his vehicle at the Jellicoe Reserve, 400 metres north of Bulli Point at Lake Taupō.
There was no sign of Melikov and police established he had not been seen since leaving Auckland two days prior.
Before vanishing, he had worked on the locally-produced series Xena: Warrior Princess.
On January 9, 2025, police were called to a holiday park at Motutere, just over a kilometre from where Melikov's car was found.
Several bones were located near a walking track and police believed them to belong to Melikov, but extensive inquiries were unable to lead to a positive identification.
Senior constable Barry Shepherd of the Taupō area search and rescue squad issued an appeal on April 25 which sought images of the Russian stuntman to help identify the partial remains.
Two people came forward with photographs which enabled police to formally identify Melikov, he said.
"The two photos sent in have shown clear evidence of his gold teeth and clothing he was wearing when he was found.
"I want to thank these people for coming forward to allow us to formally identify Artour and provide some closure."