The mother of missing 32 year-old Remuera woman, Carmen Thomas, departed Auckland this morning on a long flight back to her home in South Africa.
Teresa Scott met with the officer in charge of the investigation into Carmen's disappearance several times over the 12 days she was in Auckland, but has had to leave the country without positive news of her missing daughter.
"We are frustrated that there haven't been any corroborated sightings of Carmen and her belongings since June 27, but we have reassured Teresa we will continue in the hunt for her daughter," Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said.
"We have been frank with Teresa and have acknowledged her worst fears - that the circumstances of Carmen's disappearance are sinister.
"We're disappointed we haven't been able to give her some closure or genuine hope but there are several phases of this investigation to go and we will stay in touch with her as much as possible."
He said the Operation Keppel team has a lot of work to do following up on CCTV footage that may be of assistance as well as continuing to drill down on information about Carmen provided to the team by her associates and friends.
Mr Benefield said it was important that anyone who recalled seeing Carmen's dark Nissan Pulsar car anywhere between June 27 and July 13 - when it was recovered by Police in Hamilton - contacts the investigation team.
"Anyone who has seen Carmen since June 27 - or any of her previously publicised personal belongings like the distinctive turquoise handbag - needs to contact us on
0800 537 735 so we can put as much information as possible into the mix of the investigation into her mysterious disappearance."
Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz