Missing woman's disappearance 'out of character'

Marice Jane McGregor has been missing since April 19. Photo / NZPA

The family of a Wanganui woman who went missing in mysterious circumstances 11 days ago has made a personal appeal to the public for information.

Police have growing concern for the well-being of 45-year-old Marice Jane McGregor, also known as Katrina, who was reported missing by a relative on Wednesday.

She was last seen by a bus driver on State Highway 4, north of Wanganui, in her red Suzuki Escudo car, on April 19.

The bus driver again saw her car later that day by a cluster of pine trees on Old Parapara Rd, 17km north of Wanganui.

He assumed it had broken down, but contacted police after seeing it again on Wednesday.

On the day she was last seen, Ms McGregor made loose plans to meet a woman friend for coffee the following day, but never showed up.

Her wallet was found in her car and there has been no activity on her bank account.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gwynne Pennell said police had serious concerns for Ms McGregor.

A health condition meant she had limited mobility and would not be able to walk far unaided, Ms Pennell said.

"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," she said.

A police helicopter and dive squad searched Ms McGregor yesterday. Officers on foot and police dogs conducted a land search today.

Her brother Garth McGregor today described her as a "fairly quiet" and reserved person.

"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."

Her sister-in-law Rosemary McGregor, the wife of her brother Rowan, appealed to the public for information.

"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."

Ms McGregor was described as a 163cm tall European of solid build with brown hair. It was not known what she was wearing. She lived alone in Wanganui and had family and friends in the area. She has a number of show cats which she would not leave unattended.

While it was not unusual for her to go on short drives and collect pine cones, her disappearance was completely out of character.

Anyone who had seen Ms McGregor, or her car in the days before April 19, was asked to contact Wanganui police.

- NZPA