Missing mum case now treated as suspicious
Police suspect foul play over vanishing of Bridget Simmonds more than a year ago
The disappearance of a Northland mother more than a year ago is now being seen as suspicious and police believe foul play may be involved.
Despite extensive inquiries since mother-of-two Bridget Simmonds, then 42, was reported missing on March 6 last year, police have been unable to find her.
Now new information from the public has resulted in police carrying out searches under warrant and setting up a 50-strong investigation team yesterday at Wilson Rd, Parakao, 40km west of Whanga¯rei.
Police vehicles, officers and equipment were set up on the 20ha block of land that borders an urupa (cemetery) and they are expected to be there for three days.
An array of ramshackle plywood and corrugated-iron huts stand amid totara trees on the property.
The huge contingent includes a specialist search team from Auckland, the Wellington-based dive squad, Environmental Science and Research staff, a cadaver dog and handler plus Northland detectives and Northland Search and Rescue.
Four police divers plunged into the Mangakahia River, which flows close to the block of land, to thoroughly check a section of the river.
Simmonds was last seen when she was dropped off at Countdown on Kamo Rd in Whanga¯rei by her mother about midday on February 23.
Less than two weeks later, on March 6, she was reported missing by her family when they grew worried she hadn’t been in contact, which they said was very unusual.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said since Simmonds was reported missing police had worked tirelessly to find her and yesterday executed several search warrants.
Investigators had spoken to her friends, family and associates, sifted through hours of CCTV footage and issued multiple appeals to the public.
Recently, new information had led investigators to believe foul play may be involved. “We have grave concerns that something sinister may have happened.”
Clayton said it was believed Simmonds caught a taxi from the Countdown supermarket to Wilson Rd the day she went missing.
Her phone has not been used since but her bank cards were used in Whanga¯rei, once on March 9 and twice on March 11 last year.
She was known to have previously lived at the Parakao property. Simmonds had been living at Otaika Accommodation Park in Whanga¯rei, but had moved in with her mum in Kerikeri before her disappearance.
Police are focusing on the block and the wider Parakao area, and yesterday did several searches.
They also asked anyone who saw Simmonds at a Wilson Rd property on February 23, 2019, to contact them.
They were particularly interested in speaking to a person who contacted Crimestoppers after the last appeal for help on March 10.
Officers were supporting Simmonds’ family. “We believe someone knows what happened to her and where she is and we urge them to come forward with information for the sake of Bridget’s family.”
Two months after Simmonds disappeared, her family issued a heartfelt plea asking for anyone who knew where she was to contact police.
“Bridget, everyone is so worried about you and we have all been searching for you,” they said.
“This is not like you to be out of contact this long, your children miss you and want to hear from you, we love and miss you. Please get in touch with us and please, anyone who knows where she is get in touch with police,” the family said.
Police have now made a direct, confidential, phone line available on 09 430 4555 for people to call with information that may help.
The line will be manned 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. Outside those hours people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.