Linda Sidon, who had been living in the Gold Coast at the time of her disappearance, was last seen in June 2009. Photo / Supplied
The adult son of a New Zealand woman last seen six years ago is now a person of interest in his mother's murder investigation.
Linda Frances Sidon, who had been living in the Gold Coast at the time of her disappearance, was last seen in June 2009 at the Ashmore home where she lived with her son Daniel.
She was also known as Linda Jackson.
Now Queensland police have begun searching bushland in the Numinbah Valley where they believe the body of Ms Sidon is buried.
Ms Sidon was a single mother who reportedly lived a lonely life with her son in a housing commission unit at Ashmore.
She went missing in June 2009 but it took more than a year for anyone to report her missing.
Her elderly father in New Zealand contacted his local police, concerned that he had not heard from her. They then passed the information on to Gold Coast detectives.
At the time Ms Sidon's history of anorexia, anxiety and depression led police to believe she had committed suicide.
But new information now has her disappearance being treated as suspicious.
Southeast police regional crime co-ordinator Detective Inspector Dave Hutchinson said there has been no proof of life since June 21, 2009.
He said the ongoing investigation has led to the strong suspicion Ms Sidon, a part-time cleaner, was murdered.
"The pace of the investigation increased recently," Mr Hutchinson said.
"We have been able to confirm that she has not left Australia, she has not gone back to New Zealand and all inquiries would suggest that she has not left the Gold Coast either.
"As a consequence of our inquiries, we believe that she has met with foul play."
Mr Hutchinson said police have several persons of interest in the investigation, including Ms Sidon's now 28-year-old son.
A search is underway near Pine Creek Road in Numinbah.
Cadaver dogs last week located several "locations of interest" which police were now excavating.
Police are urging any acquaintances of Ms Sidon to make contact with them.
Her son still lives on the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that Ms Sion's parents had both died in the years following her disappearance but she had siblings who still lived in New Zealand.
"Her sisters have been to the Gold Coast to assist with inquiries but they are not here now," he said.
Mr Hutchinson told the newspaper that Ms Sidon kept to herself mainly but did have some friends and did work as a casual cleaner.
- AAP
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.