Search teams remain hopeful of finding missing woman
Police searching for Fernside woman Emma Beattie believe no one else is involved in her disappearance.
The 20-year-old from North Canterbury was last seen at 11pm on Friday evening, after leaving her family home on foot. She has not had contact with her family since.
Senior Sergeant Paul Reeves, who is in charge of the investigation, said that after five days of searches there were no indications of anything suspicious in Beattie’s disappearance or that anyone else was involved.
Police launched extensive LandSAR searches for Beattie, focus- ing on areas including the Ashley River and Hillcrest Rd in Fernside.
Reeves said the search was being conducted close to the family’s address and teams were searching the riverbed as well as outbuildings on nearby properties.
“We have five teams of searches out this morning looking for Emma,” he said yesterday. “The terrain is pretty scrubby and [it is] difficult to penetrate some of it so it takes times to do a methodical search.”
Reeves said there was a possibility Beattie had left the area but searches would remain in Fernside unless new information came to light.
“We will carry on as is but review it daily and see what resources we do need.
“We are committed in bringing Emma home to the family. Hopefully she is just sleeping rough and is located safe and well.”
Reeves refused to provide any details of the circumstances of Beattie’s disappearance or her mental state at the time.
“I spoke to the family this morning and they have asked for privacy,” he said.
A close relative told the Herald the family were not ready to speak.
Although Beattie has not made contact with her family, Reeves said he was not sure whether she had been in contact with anyone else.
“If anyone has had contact with her then please come forward.”
Reeves would not comment on whether Beattie’s disappearance was out of character or whether it had happened before. He would also not comment on whether she had used her bank account or phone.
He said police had received sightings from the public but those had proved negative. No items of interest had been found to date.
Police are still encouraging anyone with information on Beattie’s whereabouts to contact them
High temperatures have meant tough conditions for searchers, but Reeves said the teams remained dedicated to bringing her home.
Beattie has long blonde hair, and is believed to be wearing orange and black Nike shoes. She may be carrying a small brown drawstring rucksack with cream-coloured rope straps. Its contents are unknown.
It is the second missing person case in the Waimakariri district this year. Melissa Dalgety, 34, from Rangiora, disappeared on July 20 and has not been found.