Green van linked to missing woman

Marice Jane McGregor is also known as Katrina. Photo / Supplied

Police investigating the disappearance of a Whanganui woman 12 days ago say they are seriously concerned "something untoward" has happened to her and are appealing for sightings of a green van.

Marice Jane McGregor, 45, also known as Katrina, was last seen on State Highway 4, about 40km north of Whanganui, on April 19 by a bus driver as she drove her red Suzuki Escudo car.

Later in the day the same bus driver saw the car by a cluster of trees and two days later, when it was still there, he called police. Her wallet was in her car and her bank account had not been touched.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gwynne Pennell today said police believed a green vehicle could hold the key to Ms McGregor's disappearance.

She called for sightings of the green Mitsubishi 4WD van or people mover in the Whanganui, Manawatu and Rangitikei areas on April 19 and 20.

"In order to protect the integrity of the current investigation I am not able at this point in time to be more specific about our interest in this vehicle or the contact Marice may have had with it. Suffice to say we believe sightings of this vehicle could be crucial to finding out what has happened to Marice," Ms Pennell said.

"Marice's family are desperate for answers and it is the community that can help bring those answers."

Yesterday Ms McGregor's brother, Garth McGregor, said she was a "fairly quiet" and reserved person. She was not unhappy with life and nothing had indicated she had any issues.

Ms McGregor is described as a 163cm tall solidly-built European with brown hair.

Wanganui police spokeswoman Kim Perks said because of a medical condition and previous ankle injuries, Ms McGregor could not walk more than a few hundred metres before she needed a rest.

The waterway near the area where she was last seen had been searched unsuccessfully by divers.

"It is so jammed up with logs, it is not a free-flowing water. They have done that thoroughly and they are confident that in that stretch of water she is not there," Ms Perks told.

Anyone with information should contact Whanganui Police on 06 349 0600.

- NZPA and NZHERALD STAFF