It's four weeks on Saturday since 50-year-old Stephen Baden Adams left his Lower Hutt home indicating he was driving to Wairarapa to visit his mother's grave. He hasn't been seen or heard from since and distraught family and friends are desperate to know what has happened to him.
Detective Sergeant Steve Harwood, Lower Hutt CIB, said police are equally concerned for Mr Adams wellbeing and fear for his safety.
"Where Stephen is and what's happened to him is a mystery," Detective Sergeant Harwood said. "We know he was deeply grieving the death of his mother two weeks before his disappearance. But his absence from home and lack of contact with his close knit family and friends is out of character.
"It's possible he has decided to take some time out but his bank accounts, cellphone and fuel card haven't been accessed, and no-one appears to have seen him or his late model black Ford Falcon XR6 car.
"We can't rule out he has had an accident but where and when is unknown."
Mr Adams left home about 8.15am on Saturday, 31 January, driving his 2005 XR6 Ford Falcon, registration CSA631. He told family he was heading to visit his mum's grave near Greytown. There was no indication he would not be returning home.
He was seen driving north on State Highway 2's River Road about 8.30am that day but that's where the trail has ended.
Police have had a couple of calls from people who thought they saw a black car heading towards the Rimutaka Range that Saturday, but there's been no information that has given detectives or the family a lead on where he might be.
Mr Adams family and friends have spent hours distributing flyers appealing for information, searching roads and places where he might have visited. They've mounted aerial searches and chalked up thousands of kilometres in their search. Police have also checked every layby on roads over the Rimutaka and Akatarawa Ranges, and also areas in Wairarapa including the Lake Ferry Road and the Waiohine Gorge.
Hotels, motels, transport operators and road repair companies have also been alerted.
"Finding Stephen's car is critical to finding Stephen," Detective Sergeant Harwood said. "We want people to look for that car. Have they seen it parked up or abandoned somewhere? Have they seen signs of a car going off the road somewhere? Have they seen Stephen?"
Mr Adams, who is 190cm tall, left home wearing dark coloured shorts, a light t shirt and jandals.
Anyone with information about his disappearance is urged to call Detective Sergeant Harwood at Lower Hutt Police Station on telephone 04 560 2680.
Ends
Released by:
Kaye Calder
Wellington Police District communications manager
tel 04 496 3464