Editorial: Thoughts with Wills family

Bruce Wills Te Pohue farmer and owner of Trelinnoe Park Gardens, Te Pohue, Hawke's Bay. His mother Fiona Wills suffering from Dementia went missing on the property 3 weeks ago. Photo / Warren Buckland

The mysterious disappearance of Fiona Wills on the family farm northeast of Napier three weeks ago is certainly something her family, or any other family, should not have to go through.

Seventy-seven-year-old Mrs Wills, an Alzheimer's sufferer, walked 50m to feed the chickens on December 9 and has not been seen since.

At a time when many families are spending time with loved ones, the Wills have had to put it all on hold while they search their vast farm, Trelinnoe Station, for their beloved matriarch.

Mrs Wills, who lost her husband John last month, is the mother of former Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills.

It is a terrible tragedy for the family and one can only hope and pray that they find closure soon.

Mrs Wills' disappearance has certainly shown how rural communities come together in times like these. Neighbours, friends and family from across the region have pitched in and kept up the search. They are still searching three weeks on.

The loss of Mrs Wills has not only touched family and friends, but even residents of Hawke's Bay who have no connection to the family.

Hawke's Bay Today has been getting emails and Facebook messages from readers who have been moved by the tragedy. One reader wrote: "Has there been any good news on Fiona Wills? This is a story I have followed, I simply cannot imagine what this family has been through."

These are sentiments that we all echo.

We wish the Wills family all the best in this difficult time and hope they may find their mother to bring closure to this ordeal.