Net widens for missing woman

Police hunting for missing Wellington woman Kaye Stewart want to identify allpeople and vehicles in the Rimutaka Forest Park area near Wainuiomata on the day shedisappeared.

Mrs Stewart, 62, was last seen about midday on Monday when she asked a Conservation Department worker for directions back to her car after an hour-long walk. Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau of Lower Hutt wants to identify any vehicles that entered the area and all vehicles that travelled the Coast road in Wainuiomata between 9am and 3pm that day. Three days of searching by more than 40 volunteers, infra-red-equipped helicopters, search dogs, and police divers have proved fruitless. Police college recruits and detectives are canvassing hundreds of Wainuiomata homes.

Mr Malaulau says there is nothing to suggest foul play so far, but police haven't ruled it out. It is unlikely Mrs Stewart is still alive.