Friends ask psychic to find Carmen

The search for Carmen Thomas is focused on Hamilton, where her car was found. Photo / Supplied

Friends of Auckland woman Carmen Thomas have contacted psychics to help in the hunt for her but her family say they want to leave it in the hands of the police.

It is nearly six weeks since the 32-year-old mother of one disappeared.

The last recorded contact made by the South African-born escort was on July 3, a text message sent to her boss at a Pakuranga gentlemen's club.

Ms Thomas's mother, Teresa Scott, came to New Zealand from Durban for about two weeks but left, with police no closer to solving the case.

A friend, Debbie Beech, said on a Facebook page set up to help find Ms Thomas that she had contacted American psychic Sally Headding, who has assisted law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Ms Headding has appeared on television shows and has written a book, Seeing The Other Side.

"She is willing to talk to us, at no charge," said Ms Beech. "But, for her own safety, she will only deal with the leading investigator."

She added that she appreciated that some people were sceptical about the use of psychics.

Other friends suggested police employ the services of local psychics Kelvin Cruickshank, Sue Nicholson or Deb Webber, who appear on TV2's Sensing Murder.

But an aunt, Carol Louise Lavagna - sister of Ms Thomas's mother - said: "The family do not wish to employ the services of a psychic and yes, there are a lot of people on here that don't know Carmen and just want to help and we are grateful for that - but please just leave it in the hands of the police. They are doing their very best and are keeping [her mother] Teresa up to date with everything."

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said police were not in contact with any psychics.

"We would assess every bit of information as to its viability and robustness, no matter who the information came from. If it was proven that psychics could prove conclusively what had happened to a missing person then I'm sure police would have done so some years ago."

Ms Hegarty said staff were still going through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage from Auckland and Hamilton businesses.