Jane Furlong may have been alive for some days after she was reported missing in late May, 1993.
The officer in charge of the investigation into Jane's murder told this week's TV2 Police Ten 7 television show - http://www.police.govt.nz/wanted/ten7 - that investigators have had reports of sightings of Jane in Auckland after May 28 1993, the day she was reported missing by her boyfriend Danny Norsworthy.
Detective Inspector Mark Benefield says although Jane was reportedly last seen by friends on Karangahape Rd on May 26 that year, people should not close their minds to the possibility she was alive after that date.
"We've had some reports she was seen near her home up to as late as the end of May and, while we're yet to corroborate those, we'd like anyone else who thinks they saw Jane after May 26 1993, to contact us," he says.
The investigation into Jane's disappearance, death and the discovery of her remains on Port Waikato's Sunset Beach in May 2012, featured as Crime of the Week in tonight's Police Ten 7 programme hosted by retired detective Graham Bell.
Detective Inspector Benefield also made an appeal for a man only recorded in Jane's diary as "Tommy" with whom she may have planned to spend a night at about the time she went missing.
"If any of Jane's clients recall being with her on or after May 26 1993, they should contact us to enable us to get a clearer picture of her movements after that date. All information will be treated with confidentiality.
"Our overriding objectives are to establish - as best we can - when, where, how and at whose hands Jane died and how she ended up buried at Port Waikato. It's likely more than one person was involved in her disappearance at some stage.
"Nineteen years have passed since she was snatched from her baby son and other family members and it's time now for those who know some or all of what happened to her to front up and tell Police."
Jane's 20 year-old son and her mother Judith paid a visit to Port Waikato with a Police victim liaison officer today. It was the first time her son had visited the scene since her skeleton was recovered on May 19 and he too wants answers as to why his mother was killed and hidden in the sand for so long.
Anyone with information should:
contact the Op Darlia investigation team on 0800 675 263;
visit the "What happened to Jane" Facebook page;
e-mail furlong@police.govt.nz;
call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Follow on Twitter with #janefurlong
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz