Push to find missing woman

Leeann Scott

Specialist search dogs have been brought in to try to find a missing Taipa woman.

Mick Corden's partner Leeann Scott, 49, vanished at Taipa on December 12.

Police and civilian Search and Rescue team members, along with three police cadaver dogs and their handlers were to finish a three-day search at Taipa yesterday.

"I suppose there's a 50/50 chance, and anything they do find will be a blessing," Mr Corden said. "Everyone - Search and Rescue, Coastguard, the police, the dog unit - is doing everything humanly possible," he said.

"I'm just hoping and praying that they find something, even if it's just her coat. She is deeply missed."

The officer in charge of Whangarei-based Police Search and Rescue, Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe, told the searchers at Taipa (a second, smaller team was based at Rangiputa), that every inch of the search area had to be covered "to the best of our ability".

"We will keep going until we've got it done," he added.

Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson said police had been working closely with Ms Scott's family to identify avenues of inquiry, and acknowledged the distress her disappearance had caused for her partner, siblings and parents.

"We have brought a larger team north, and have enlisted extra specialist assistance including the Auckland police dog section cadaver dogs. Our hope is to find Leeann and help the family and those who loved her bring some closure to their ordeal."