Police investigating the disappearance of Marice McGregor woman from Whanganui have serious concerns after establishing that a health condition means she has very limited mobility and would not be able to walk far unaided.
At a media conference this afternoon relatives of Marice made a personal appeal for information about her disappearance.
Marice McGregor was reported missing by family on Wednesday, 28 April. On the same day a bus driver reported his concern about a red Suzuki car that had been parked up on Old Parapara Road since Monday 19, April. That car belongs to Marice.
The bus driver saw the car early on Monday the 19th on SH4 with a woman sitting in the car. He saw the car later in the week parked up under some trees on Old Parapara Road empty. He assumed it had broken down but when it was still there this Wednesday he contacted Police.
We know that Marice had a telephone conversation with a female friend on Monday 19th making a fairly loose arrangement to meet for a coffee the following day. Marice did not meet up on the Tuesday and there has been no other known contact.
Marice's wallet is in her car and there has been no activity on her bank account.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gwynne Pennell, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have carried extensive searches in the area since Wednesday, using officers on foot, a helicopter, divers and dogs with no sign of her.
"We are still treating this as a missing person inquiry, but the longer she is missing and the more we hear about her lack of mobility, the more we have to consider that something more untoward might have happened to her."
Family of Marice have described her as a very quiet and reserved person. It was not unusual for her to go on short drives and she would often go collecting pine cones. Pines cones and branches were found in her car. Her disappearance, however, is completely out of character. She has a number of cats that she shows, and she would not leave them unattended.
Her brother Garth McGregor said: "Marice is fairly quiet in herself. She lives a very basic sort of life; turns up to family events at Christmas and Easter and birthdays. That is Marice's life. She is happy with her life, not upset with it and showed no signs of anything prior to this to suggest there were any issues."
Marice's sister-in-law Rosemary McGregor added: "We need to know where Marice is; we need to know that she is safe. Please, please, if anyone knows anything we desperately need to know."
Police want the public's help with any sightings of the red Suzuki Escudo car in the days leading up to the 19th April, any sightings of Marice that might be relevant and any other information about Marice and her movements recently that might help Police to locate her.
Anyone with any information that will assist with this investigation is asked to contact Whanganui Police on 06 349 0600.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.
