No sign of missing Auckland man

Luke Mitchell

Police searching for an Auckland man missing without a trace since early last month may soon have to change the focus of their inquiry.

They would not say whether they believed that Waterview man Luke Mitchell, 37, was alive, or whether it would become a homicide inquiry.

Mr Mitchell was last seen by a flatmate on June 5 but his car was spotted nearly a fortnight later in West Auckland, although police said they did not know whether he was driving. "That has been confirmed but it is unexplained," said Sergeant Matt Srhoj, from the Avondale police. He said the white 1998 Toyota Caldina car, registered number CPT102, had not been seen since June 18.

Mr Srhoj said to say Mr Mitchell was dead would be speculation and there was nothing to suggest it.

"It is the real lack of contact ... and obviously that is concerning."

Mr Mitchell's bank accounts had not been touched.

He failed to attend a university examination and to arrive in court in Taupo on June 14 for a driving matter.

Mr Srhoj wants anyone with information to call Avondale police on (09) 820-5701.

Meanwhile, the search for a Korean student, also missing since early June, has been wound down.

Young Wook Ma, 23, also known as Jack Ma, walked out of his Glenfield home on the North Shore on June 12 and has not been seen since.

His family made an emotional appeal for him to return a fortnight later but there has been no sign of him.

His bank accounts had also remained untouched.

- NZPA