Woman's disappearance baffles police

An unlocked car, with keys and a wallet lying untouched on the front seat, is creating a baffling puzzle for police as they continue their search for a missing Hamilton woman.

Fran Martin's car has been under the microscope since being found abandoned at Wairakei, near Taupo, on April 21.

It contained old newspapers, a phone charger, video tapes, a spilled bag of coffee, two full rubbish bags and a book on how to quit smoking.
"You would think if some criminal had stolen the car they would have gone through the wallet," Detective Sergeant Dave Beattie of Taupo police said.

Ms Martin, 42, was last seen two weeks ago when a security video recorded her at a Caltex service station in Naylor St, Hamilton. She was paying for petrol.

"I think at the moment we are looking at a bit of a stalemate," Mr Beattie said.

"Unless something comes to hand, we are going to be left with the fact that her car has been left down here and there are no answers to her whereabouts."

A search of the Hamilton flat where Ms Martin lived alone, offered no clues.

The lights had been left on and the radio playing, but that was not considered out of the ordinary for her.

There was no sign of a break-in and Mr Beattie said she had "clearly gone out". There was no evidence of foul play.

Taupo police received sightings of two people in Ms Martin's car about 10.30pm the day before her car was found.

"But the purpose of the trip and who was in the car is unknown...it's frustrating," Mr Beattie said.

Ms Martin's bank account has not been touched since her disappearance. Police on Saturday searched a 1km radius from where her car was found.

Overseas studies show if someone intended taking their own life, they were usually found within 400m of their car, Mr Beattie said.

He acknowledged the chance of finding Ms Martin alive lessened each day, but he was "100 per cent certain that there will be someone out there who will know".

- nzpa