UPDATED 3.35pm: The family of John Beckenridge and his step-son Mike Zhao-Beckenridge are distraught over the latest findings of police.

An examination of Mr Beckenridge's car turned up no human remains.

The car was recovered from the surf in Curio Bay in the Catlins.

That was where the pair were last seen two months ago.

Inspector Kelvin Lloyd says says with the heavy surf and the condition of the vehicle, there was always a chance they wouldn't be able to locate anything, even if the pair had been inside.

He says the information collected through the police investigation will now be passed on to the coroner.