By SCOTT INGLIS
A stooped 76-year-old Chinese woman has vanished from her Avondale home.
The woman, known by several names, has not been seen for a week at the house where she rents a room but police were not told until Tuesday morning.
The family she boards with told the Herald she had disappeared before and they waited several days before alerting police.
The woman, most commonly known as Tianhui Tan, Chen Tan or Jin Huo Tam, boards with a woman, Lily Sue, and her family in Mersey Place.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Sutton, the officer leading an investigation into Mrs Tan's disappearance, told the Herald that police believed Mrs Tan was carrying a substantial amount of money, probably more than $500.
"Until we know more, we are treating it as a missing person. There is nothing to indicate it is suspicious, but of course you really have to have an open mind."
A team of 15 detectives and uniformed officers interviewed neighbours yesterday and plan to expand those inquiries today.
Police search and rescuers will also scour nearby bush and check a drain which would have been swollen at the weekend from heavy rain.
Mrs Tan speaks only Cantonese and carries cue cards containing key English phrases to help her get around.
She has a daughter who lives in Mt Roskill and other children who live in China and Australia.
Mrs Tan is 162cm, slightly built, and has a grey bob hairstyle cut just below the jaw line. She is believed to have come from China a year ago.
Woman, 76, missing for week from Avondale
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