New clues sought year after disappearance

Francesca Martin

One year on Bob Martin still has hope his daughter will be found.

The 68-year-old spends nearly every Saturday at Wairakei, north of Taupo, searching the bush trying to find the body of his eldest child, Francesca Martin. Ms Martin left her Hamilton home on April 20 last year and drove to the Caltex Station on Naylor St to buy cigarettes. She was never seen again.

Mr Martin said many people would have seen his daughter's car as it was a busy weekend. He hoped someone might remember something, despite it being a year on.

"Even if it seems way out they should come forward," he said.

The 42-year-old's car, a white Nissan Pulsar, was found abandoned the following night at Wairakei, but police have been unable to establish whether it had been driven there by her or someone else. Her wallet and keys were found on the passenger's seat.

Mr Martin believes foul play was involved in the disappearance and has been using a metal detector to try to find clues.

"We have got to find something. It is the most harrowing thing," he said. "We want to find her body and get some relief."

Detective Sergeant Dave Beattie from the Taupo police appealed for any new information about the Hamilton woman's disappearance.

"We are desperate for any fresh new information that comes to light," he said. "We want to find her for the family."

The Martin family has employed three psychics in their hunt for Ms Martin, who was a devout Christian.

Mr Martin said all three psychics believed his daughter had been murdered and had pointed out the same area where they believed she was buried. He said the psychics had told him how they thought she had died, but he would not divulge anything until a body was found.

Ms Martin was on medication, including anti-depressants, after suffering a head injury in a car accident 14 years ago, but her father did not believe the pills she was taking had anything to do with her disappearance.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)