Police are now in possession of a vehicle being sought in relation to the disappearance of Marice McGregor. This vehicle is believed to have been in the SH4 area when Marice was last seen and may have travelled from the Whanganui area towards the Manawatu area on the evening of 19 April. We now believe that this vehicle was in the Marton township mid-evening. The vehicle is now the subject of a forensic examination.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gwynne Pennell said: "At this time our interest in this vehicle must remain privy to the investigation so as not to compromise the ongoing operation. Our priority remains finding Marice. From my experience, given the time elapsed, we now have to treat Marice's disappearance as suspicious. For the sake of family and friends we hope that this is not proved to be the case.
"What also remains central to the investigation is the movements of this car, in particular on the 19th and 20th of April."
Yesterday members of Marice's family joined Police at a checkpoint on SH4. Around 300 motorists were stopped. They were asked if they were regular travellers along that road and urged to cast their mind back over the two weeks to anything that might be important to the investigation. They were also handed a leaflet picturing Marice, her car and a car similar to that of interest to the Police. A small number of people felt they might have some useful information. Their details were taken and they will be spoken to over the next couple of days.
Police also now know the type of mobile phone that Marice carried with her and are still trying to locate that phone. She used a Samsung W531 phone which is a flip-top style phone introduced by Samsung about two-and-a-half to three years ago, and it is believed to be black and metallic silver.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Whanganui Police on 06 349 0600. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.
