Mt Albert woman Lena Zhang Harrap's disappearance leads to homicide investigation

Police describe a man seen on CCTV footage walking on Mt Albert's Grande Ave yesterday morning as a "person of interest" as they launch a homicide investigation into the death of Lena Zhang Harrap.

Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe, speaking to media this afternoon, said Lena went missing between 6.30 and 7.30am yesterday while walking along Grande Ave, Richardson and Jersey streets.

"It is clear from the scene ... that she is the victim of foul play," Pascoe said.

A man - described as a person of interest - was identified in CCTV walking towards the Summit Drive walkway about 7.30am, Pascoe said.

Mt Albert woman Lena Harrap, 28, was last seen going for a walk yesterday near her home. Photo / NZ Police

The man was balding on the top of his head and wearing a mask, Pascoe said.

"We have absolutely no idea who this man is," Pascoe said.

Police say he has distinctive mark on his forehead. Pascoe hopes someone will recognise the man so the investigation team can speak to him to establish if he can help them further.

Police also want to hear from anyone who saw Lena yesterday.

A member of the public who was walking along the track found the body. The walkway from Grand Ave to Summit Lane is 45-50 metres long, Pascoe said.

Police don't yet know the exact time of death, Pascoe said.

"We don't have an exact time of death but it is sometime between 6.30am and 4.30pm," he said.

"Lena was a young lady, she was small in stature, she was vulnerable."

Pascoe said Lena was a "loving and caring person" who family had raised to be independent. Her family are devastated.

"Whoever the offender or offenders are, they've targeted a vulnerable member of our community which is just appalling," Pascoe said.

Lena went missing between 6.30 and 7.30am yesterday while out for a walk. Photo / Miriam Burrell

The local community will also be shocked and saddened, he said. "Reassurance patrols" in the area will be visible to the community, he said.

Police continue to speak to residents. Lena is known by many for walking similar routes and walked at a slow pace.

Anyone with information is asked to phone 0800 325 399 or contact Crimestoppers.

Police are also appealing for any CCTV footage from locals.

A post mortem has taken place today.

An outpouring of love from the Mt Albert community has emerged for Lena.

The 28-year-old left her Mt Albert home around 6am yesterday morning to go for a walk - something locals often saw her doing - but this time, she failed to return.

A search was launched when her family reported her missing just before 1pm, with many concerned for her wellbeing because she had Down syndrome and impaired vision, police said.

A body was found yesterday afternoon about 4.30pm in an area of bush off a walkway between Grande Ave and Summit Drive.

Police said earlier today they had launched a homicide investigation following the death. While formal identification is yet to be completed at this time, police believe the woman is Lena Zhang, also known as Lena Zhang Harrap.

A security guard and police car could be seen on Summit Drive today, with a pathway to the mountain being cordoned off.

Harrap was a former Lynfield College student and enjoyed participating in Star Jam classes.

"She was clever in hospitality cooking class, good in PE sports, very clever at finding her way around places independently," said a former classmate of Harrap's, Alex Pervan.

"[There were] times when I would go to the Mt Albert train station, and she knew her way from home.

A path to Owairaka Domain/Mt Albert from Summit Drive has been cordoned off today. Photo / NZME

"Lena loved her Star Jam class, being amongst all her friends."

Pervan said Harrap was in the same learning support class as him during their time at Lynfield College between 2009 to 2012.

"[The] last time I saw Lena was at Mt Albert Unitec when me and students were doing a horticulture course in 2015."

The Herald understands Harrap completed a horticulture course at the Unitec Mt Albert campus run by the Manukau Institute of Technology.

Harrap's teacher posted to Facebook: "Lena was a student in my class at Unitec. I remember her determination to overcome her difficulties and obstacles in life, despite her disabilities"

Police on Summit Drive in Mt Albert, where a body was found on Wednesday evening. Photo / Hayden Woodward

A Mt Albert resident, Michelle McGee, told the Herald Harrap was "a beautiful, funny and delightful soul".

"My heart is aching at this moment for her and her family.

"She has touched so many other people's lives like she did my own and my children, just with her presence or the soft-spoken lady she was.

"We are all feeling the loss of Lena but for sure we will hopefully come together as a community to do a memorial because she deserves the recognition."

Harrap is being remembered by other residents for her frequent walks around the Jersey Ave, Owairaka Reserve and Harbutt Reserve areas.

Tributes are flowing on social media.

"Lena was such a joyful soul. She touched so many people. I'm remembering her as a baby at Plunket and a young girl at Mark Rd kindy then Gladstone Primary. Last year I used to regularly see her setting off up Jersey [Ave], stick in hand and a smile on her face," one person wrote.

Another said: " I would often see her walking New North Rd on my way to work. Always made me smile. I'll miss seeing her."

Police found a body during their search for Lena Harrap in Mt Albert yesterday afternoon. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Down syndrome support organisations have expressed their sympathies for Harrap's family.

The Auckland Down Syndrome Association said its thoughts and prayers "go out to Lena's family and friends in this time of great loss and sadness".

Upside Downs Education Trust said it was "devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Lena Harrap, a young woman from our community, in Owairaka/Mt Albert".

"This is absolutely devastating news, and our community are currently coming to terms with it," it told the Herald.

"UpsideDowns is currently working with the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association and the Auckland Down Syndrome Association on next steps."

Alert-Eden local board chairwoman Lee Corrick said the community would be feeling the pain of the family.

"Understandably people are feeling really sad, and my thoughts are with Lena's family and friends, it's really, really difficult," she said.

"We need to take one step at a time and the community will give their support.

"The family have asked for privacy at this time too and I think we need to respect that."

Star Jam declined to comment.