Latest news with #Melikov
1News
20-05-2025
- 1News
Missing Russian stuntman formally identified after two decades
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."
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Cold case mystery of missing stuntman solved
Police had issued an appeal to anyone who had pictures of Artour Melikov Photo: Supplied / NZ Police The remains of a Russian stuntman who went missing in New Zealand more than 20 years ago have been formally identified thanks to photos of his gold teeth. Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on 10 September 2002. Police found his vehicle at Jellicoe Reserve near Bulli Point at Lake Taupō, and the car key, his throwing knives, clothing, passport and other documentation were inside. An extensive search for Melikov was unsuccessful. In January, several bones were found near a walking track at Motutere and police were called. They believed the bones were Melikov's but could not identify him or contact his next of kin, so they asked the public for any photos of him to help with identification. Melikov was a stuntman, appearing in Xena: Warrior Princess during his time in New Zealand, and police hoped someone who worked with him may have had good photos - especially of his gold teeth. Two people contacted police with photos which helped police formally identify him, Senior Constable Barry Shepherd 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." The case has been referred to the coroner.
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Gold teeth help solve cold case mystery
Police had issued an appeal to anyone who had pictures of Artour Melikov Photo: Supplied / NZ Police The remains of a Russian stuntman who went missing in New Zealand more than 20 years ago have been formally identified thanks to photos of his gold teeth. Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on 10 September 2002. Police found his vehicle at Jellicoe Reserve near Bulli Point at Lake Taupō, and the car key, his throwing knives, clothing, passport and other documentation were inside. An extensive search for Melikov was unsuccessful. In January, several bones were found near a walking track at Motutere and police were called. They believed the bones were Melikov's but could not identify him or contact his next of kin, so they asked the public for any photos of him to help with identification. Melikov was a stuntman, appearing in Xena: Warrior Princess during his time in New Zealand, and police hoped someone who worked with him may have had good photos - especially of his gold teeth. Two people contacted police with photos which helped police formally identify him, Senior Constable Barry Shepherd 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." The case has been referred to the coroner.
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Remains may be those of Russian stuntman
Police want to hear from anyone who has pictures of Artour Melikov (pictured). Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Police are seeking photos of a Russian stuntman who went missing in 2002 in the hope of being able to identify human remains located near Lake Taupō earlier this year. They were especially interested in photographs showing his golden teeth in his upper jaw. Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on September 10, 2002. Turangi police located his vehicle at the Jellicoe Reserve near Lake Taupō and the car key, his throwing knives, clothing, passport and other documentation were inside. There was an extensive search, but there was no sign of Melikov and police established he had not been seen since he left Auckland two days prior. This year, several bones were found near a walking track at Motutere and police were called. Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said police believed the remains were those of Melikov, but they had not been able to confirm that. "We've been unable to contact his next of kin, so hope there is a colleague or friend who may be able to help us," he said in a statement. "Artour was a stuntman for the likes of Xena: Warrior Princess during his time in New Zealand, and we hope there is someone who worked with him who may have high-quality photos of his face, and especially his teeth." Melikov had gold teeth in his upper jaw which would have been distinctive, Shepherd said. Police would like anyone with information that could assist the investigation to get in touch via 105 and cite reference number 250110/2158.
RNZ News
24-04-2025
- RNZ News
Remains found near Lake Taupō may belong to Russian stuntman missing since 2002
Police want to hear from anyone who has pictures of Artour Melikov (pictured). Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Police are seeking photos of a Russian stuntman who went missing in 2002 in the hope of being able to identify human remains located near Lake Taupō earlier this year. They were especially interested in photographs showing his golden teeth in his upper jaw. Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on 10 September 2002. Turangi police located his vehicle at the Jellicoe Reserve near Lake Taupō and the car key, his throwing knives, clothing, passport and other documentation were inside. There was an extensive search, but there was no sign of Melikov and police established he had not been seen since he left Auckland two days prior. This year, several bones were found near a walking track at Motutere and police were called. Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said police believed the remains were those of Melikov, but they had not been able to confirm that. "We've been unable to contact his next of kin, so hope there is a colleague or friend who may be able to help us," he said in a statement. "Artour was a stuntman for the likes of Xena: Warrior Princess during his time in New Zealand, and we hope there is someone who worked with him who may have high-quality photos of his face, and especially his teeth." Melikov had gold teeth in his upper jaw which would have been distinctive, Shepherd said. Police would like anyone with information that could assist the investigation to get in touch via 105 and cite reference number 250110/2158. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
