Police believe body that of missing woman
A body has been located in the search for missing Waita ¯kere woman Michelle Simpson.
The body was found yesterday at a property within the search area.
While formal identification is yet to take place, the body is believed to be that of Simpson, who was reported missing on Monday.
Police have notified Simpson’s next of kin and the matter has been referred to the coroner.
Police thanked the community for their assistance in this search.
The 50-year-old was last seen walking along Wairere Rd about 11.30am on Monday.
Simpson was earlier described as being “mentally impaired” and usually only went out with the help of a family member or caregiver.
The three-day search involved police scouring the nearby area, including searching dense bush and carrying out an aerial search. Residents were also asked to check their security camera footage or dashcam footage.
The search had been made more challenging with the rural location.
Police said earlier that Michelle was last seen wearing a gold-coloured cardigan, a red floral medium-length dress and possibly a woven green/ blue floppy hat. She was also carrying a patterned creamcoloured tote bag.
“It’s possible she may have become lost and sought shelter somewhere,” said Waitemata¯ North area commander Bruce O’Brien.
He said the main focus of the ground search had been on the streets near where Simpson was last seen — Wairere Rd, Caton Rd, Gregory Rd and Horseman Rd.