Child caught up in sea of drama
When the news first broke on Boxing Day it seemed like a normal missing persons story.
Father and six-year-old daughter Alan and Que Langdon had set sail from Kawhia, on west coast of the North Island, on December 17, telling others they were aiming to make the Bay of Islands by Christmas. They hadn’t shown up and had been reported missing. Police had ‘‘grave concerns’’ for their safety – particularly as they were sailing on a small six-metre catamaran.
Now, 25 days later, Langdon and Que have been found safe and well in a coastal Australian town of Ulladulla.
During those 25 days more and more details about Langdon’s past and possible plans have emerged, complicating the simple ‘‘missing person’’ story.
Most importantly: the 49-year-old was embroiled in a custody dispute with Que’s mother, his estranged wife Ariane Wyler. Speculation indicated there was an impending family court decision at play.
Wyler, who is based in Golden Bay but was visiting her homeland of Switzerland for the holidays, found out the pair were missing through Langdon’s parents, from whom he is also estranged.
She believed Langdon was heading for Australia, where he had previously lived. She revealed that Que’s passport was being held by a court registrar as Langdon was considered a flight risk.
Police took her seriously, alerting Interpol, Australian border control, and looking into Langdon’s bank accounts.
Wyler was confident that Langdon and Que were safe.
‘‘I am strongly convinced that they both are alive, well and safe,’’ she said. ‘‘I am deeply distressed about this current situation and miss my daughter Que greatly.’’
Just before the year ended, Wyler hired Australian child recovery specialist Col Chapman – for the second time.
Chapman had helped Wyler find Langdon and Que more than a year ago, when the pair were found living rurally in Australia after their catamaran was destroyed in Cyclone Pam. He was eventually tracked to the New South Wales town of Nimbin, living in a campervan with Que on a large farm.
On January 3, the Police called off their expensive physical search of the coastline. They had scoped the entire west coast of the North Island – from Cape Reinga to Wellington – and down the east coast to the Bay of Island. The search operation had involved several aircraft and many boats. But they hadn’t seen anything.
As the days wore on, Langdon’s character began to be questioned. When he was first reported missing, locals were happy to go on the record to speak well of him, describing ‘‘Paddles’’ as a wellrespected member of the community.
Now his friends didn’t want to use their names – but were happy to talk. ‘‘Paddles was a s... husband,’’ one said. ‘‘Paddles would come over all the time with Que. She adored her daddy. He really doted on her but I would hate to be his wife. He used psychological games on Ariane, he would mess with her head quite a bit.’’
Another friend had a simple message for him: ‘‘Grow up. Look at what you have put everyone through. Bring Que back.’’
Everyone agreed on one thing: that Langdon was an extremely competent sailor.
Chapman, the child recovery expert, was sure he had headed to Australia. The small vessel would make it a challenge, but not impossible. Indeed, it would actually help when he got closer to the shore, as coast guards would assume a boat that small could only have come from Australia. ‘‘He doesn’t look like he’s come from New Zealand in that little thing,’’ Chapman told NZME.
On Wednesday, Chapman revealed an official source had told him the pair were alive and well in Ulladulla in New South Wales. New Zealand Police put out a press release confirming the find soon after.
The town is over 2000km across the Tasman Sea from Kawhia where the pair set out.
Both are healthy but the trip didn’t seem to go quite according to plan, with a broken rudder forcing them into harbour – and the attention of border officials.
One of their rudders broke four days into their 27-day journey, meaning they only had one rudder to steer with.
‘‘I tell you I learnt a lot about sailing,’’ Langdon said, appearing completely relaxed about the ordeal.
‘‘We had plenty of food and saw lots of whales,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m looking forward to some rest.’’
Que appeared happy, relaxed and played on a nearby boat in the harbour.
When asked about his daughter’s wellbeing Langdon ‘‘happy’’.
Langdon said he had not been able to make contact with Wyler but was ’’sure’’ the authorities had done so.
While reporters were speaking to Langdon, he calmly went about sorting and tidying items on the boat which included almonds, a saucepan, a bodyboard and oars.
Soon after, he left the boat and asked reporters for directions to the local Telstra shop.
Mary Smith, a close friend who Langdon and Que lived with in Kawhia, was overjoyed when she heard the news.
‘‘That’s all we have been praying for – for them to be safe and well. When he rings me and tells me and I can hear his voice, I will be happy.’’
New Zealand police were waiting to hear more details about Langdon and Que’s weeks-long journey. Que’s mother had been notified. Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe, of Waikato police, confirmed Interpol had alerted Australian authorities of Langdon’s possible arrival as part of the investigation. Fairfax NZ said Que was