The death of Chad Puru, whose body was found in a rural area in North Canterbury has been described as not suspicious.

His body was found on 3 January, with police leaking unofficial information to other media, including that a car he was found in was burn out, although his body was reportedly not.

A an official statement provided by police, it said his death will be referred to the Coroner, who will rule on cause of death in due course.