Police have launched a nationwide hunt for a man whom they want to talk to in connection with the murder of 28 year old German hitch hiker, Ms Birgit Brauer.
Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, the man heading Operation Lucy, says the Police want to speak to Michael Scott Wallace *[pictured] after the battered body of Birgit Brauer was discovered at Lucy's Gully, south-west of New Plymouth on Tuesday 20 September 2005.
"The Police understand that on the day of the murder, Mr Wallace, [also known as Michael Jason Hemi or Allan Wallace], was in the Taranaki region, and at the time was in possession of a dark grey Toyota Hilux, Surf, 4WD motor vehicle, Registration TY 6812.
"This was the vehicle found abandoned on 28 September 2005, on the banks of the Öhau River, between Levin and Ötaki. This Toyota Hilux certainly matches the descriptions given by members of the public of the type of vehicle closely associated with the scenes of interest in this murder investigation."
"These sightings of this vehicle were recently recorded at Waitötara, Lucy's Gully, Cardiff, and Lake Rotokare."
* Michael Scott Wallace is 44 years of age.
* He is a male Maori, but is sometimes mistaken for a Caucasian.
* He is of slim to medium build, and is about 180cm tall [5' 9"].
* He was last seen with dark curly hair, of collar length."
"Mr Wallace is certainly someone we want to talk to".
"I urge everyone throughout New Zealand to study the photograph of Mr Wallace carefully, and to contact police immediately if he is sighted at any place at any time."
"Police emphasize that Mr Wallace, could be anywhere in New Zealand, as he is extremely transient by nature. He should therefore not be approached by any member of the public."
"Strenuous efforts are being made by all police investigators to locate Michael Scott Wallace, and we do appreciate the phenomenal support that has been forthcoming to us, both from the public and the media."