Update | Retired Hong Kong judge found dead on rocks off South Lantau

Daughter thanks police and Lantau Island residents for searching for John Rhind, 80, who had been missing since Tuesday night

Reading Time:2 minutes

The retired High Court judge resided at Pui O on the island. Photo: SCMP Pictures.

Published: 11:45am, 2 Mar 2016Updated: 8:55pm, 3 Mar 2016

Police have confirmed that the body found washed up on rocks off South Lantau at 11am on Thursday was that of retired High Court judge John Rhind, who went missing on Tuesday.

After a comprehensive air, land and sea search by marine and Lantau South police, the body was spotted on remote rocks on a headland near Shui Hau.

Police later recovered the body, although it took some time as the water there was too shallow for the marine launch and the area was difficult to access on foot. “Where it is, it will take some time to reach him,” police said earlier.

John Rhind’s body was spotted on rocks close to the Reach Submarine Cable Installation between Tong Fuk and Shui Hau. Photo: Anna Healy Fenton

Rhind’s daughter Helen, a Singapore-based solicitor, flew to Hong Kong early Wednesday morning as soon as she heard her 80-year-old father had gone missing from his Pui O home on Tuesday night. She said she and her mother Nancy, 91, were devastated by the news.

“We had been hoping for the best but fearing the worst,” she told the Post.

It has made such a difference to Mum and me at this dreadful time, knowing everyone was out searching. A very big thank you.

Daughter Helen Rhind

Rhind was a passionate hill walker, especially at night, but took only his walking stick and Hong Kong identity card when he unexpectedly disappeared. His wife raised the alarm at 11pm when he failed to return.