New leads in missing man case

Police are following up nearly 50 possible sightings of a vehicle that might have been involved in the disappearance of missing Kapiti Coast man Raymond "Son" Piper.

The search for Mr Piper, 23, has spread to Wanganui, nearly four weeks after he was last seen leaving the house of his partner and son in Paraparaumu.

Police are now saying they hold "grave fears" for Mr Piper and more than 25 officers have been investigating his disappearance since he was last seen in Eatwell Avenue, Paraparaumu Beach, on the morning of Saturday, May 15.

Last night police released new information that Mr Piper was seen travelling in a dark green Mazda Marvie and it could have travelled as far as Wanganui.

Police spokeswoman Victoria Evans told NZPA today the appeal prompted nearly 50 calls to the police information line, which officers were now working through to see if they were positive sightings or not.

Initially it was reported there had been unsubstantiated stories he may have been the victim of foul play. Ms Evans said it was still a missing person case until there was concrete evidence to change that.

Yesterday, police cordoned off a Paraparaumu service station as "a place of interest" in the case, but they would not comment further.

- NZPA