Police have serious concerns about a missing Birkdale woman who never arrived home after leaving her job in the city at about 7pm last evening.
Philippines born 56 year-old Blesilda (also known as Blessie) Gotingco works at Tower Insurance Ltd in Auckland’s Fanshawe St and spoke to her adult son at 6.21pm to say she was leaving work at about 7 and would catch a bus home. Her son then went to work.
Blesilda’s adult daughter, who works late shifts, arrived home at about 3.15am and noticed her mother had not arrived home as expected. She contacted her two brothers and they notified Police about their concerns at about 3.30am.
They were advised to report to Auckland Central Police station. While her brothers were there, Blessie’s daughter tracked her mobile ‘phone via its inbuilt locater system and found it was polling a short distance from their home on Salisbury St, Birkdale.
She went along the road where she found it, along with some more of her mother’s personal items and immediately notified Police at about 5.40am.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stan Brown says the circumstances of Blessie Gotingco’s disappearance and the location of some of her belongings give rise to serious concerns for her safety.
“Since early this morning staff have been in Salisbury Street and the surrounding area searching for clues as to why Blessie never made it home last night.
“She was last seen wearing a white top and and light coloured trousers. Our inquiries with Birkenhead Transport, the bus company she would have used if she actually caught the bus, are continuing and we hope to have confirmation of her journey later this afternoon.
“Her ‘phone and other items were found on the roadside about 400 metres away from what is most likely to have been her bus stop on Birkdale Rd. Her daughter tells us Blessie would have caught the 7.20pm or 7.40pm bus.
“We want to hear from passengers who travelled on those buses – either a number 973 or a 974 bus - last night, at any point along its route from Fanshawe St to Birkdale Road.
“We obviously want to hear of any sightings of Blessie since 7pm last evening. She is of medium to slim build, about 5’3” tall and has dark shoulder-length hair.”
Anyone with information about Blesilda Gotingco should call Waitemata CIB on 09 213 7890 [must dial the 09]. Anonymous information can go to 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
MEDIA NOTE: DSS Brown will host a media briefing in Salisbury St, Birkdale, at 4.30pm today.
