KEY POINTS:
The distraught family of a deaf woman missing for five days have not given up hope they will see her alive again even as foul play grows more likely.
Police are yet to launch a homicide inquiry after sports-loving Emma Agnew, 20, disappeared on Thursday. Her burned-out car was later found in the city's Bromley Park. But they have "grave fears" for her safety.
Police are now looking for a large-built man who was walking his dog in the park when Ms Agnew's car was ablaze on Thursday night.
Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald said police were looking for a the man walking with his pitbull-cross dog, who told the occupants of a car there was going to be a fire in Ms Agnew's car.
"He said, 'Move out of the car park, that car's gonna blow'," Mr Fitzgerald said.
Ms Agnew's aunt, Della Buzzard, said yesterday: "The family is feeling very down. And they want Emma home.
"She belongs at home. They are very sad and suffering at the moment. And they want to know where their daughter is."
The family simply had no idea what had happened to Ms Agnew.
"They are still hoping she will come home. That is the hope they have."
It is believed Ms Agnew had been planning to meet someone wanting to buy her red Mazda Familia car.
She was last seen about 10am last Thursday at a meeting with friends at a suburban home in Christchurch where she was discussing fundraising for a sports event.
She was expected to drive back to her workplace in central Christchurch, where she works as an administrator for the Deaf Society of Canterbury and the Deaf Sports Federation.
Some time between about 10.15am and 10.35am things changed.
Her car was seen driving in the city's northern suburbs, and from about 10.35am she disappeared out of contact.
"For Emma, text messaging is her main line of communication," said Mr Fitzgerald.
"As soon as the family were aware her phone was switched off, their fears for Emma started."
Ms Buzzard said the deaf community was struggling with her niece's disappearance, as she was well known.
"She loved netball. She was heavily involved in the deaf community. Lots and lots of different sports," Ms Buzzard.
"She's a very good role model for the deaf community as well. The deaf community want her back as well - they are not finished with her at all."
Josje Lelyveld, vice-president of the Deaf Society of Canterbury, said Ms Agnew was very bright, had a lovely personality and was also a "very strong woman".
She gave up a lot of her time to do voluntary work for the deaf community.
"Anything that happens in the deaf community, Emma is pretty involved."
Mr Fitzgerald said police had spoken to a host of people who had been in contact with Ms Agnew before she disappeared.
They had been seeking the occupants of a silver car seen in Bromley Park while Ms Agnew's car was ablaze. Police had since spoken to them and did not believe they were connected to her disappearance.
Money is being raised throughout the country to assist in the search for Ms Agnew and to support her family.
