Still no sign of Leeann

BEST EFFORT: Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe, officer in charge of Police Search and Rescue, organising the first day of another search for Leeann Scott at Taipa last week.

Mick Corden was hopeful but not overly optimistic last week that a three-day search for his partner, 49-year-old Leeann Scott, would reveal what had become of her. And he was right not to allow his hopes to get too high.

Police Search and Rescue officers from Whangarei, four police cadaver dogs and Land Search and Rescue volunteers spent almost three days scouring the western end of Doubtless Bay and Rangaunu Harbour, without result.

The officer in charge of Police Search and Rescue, Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe, told the searchers at Taipa on Tuesday morning 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 said.

By the time the search ended on Thursday no one had any more answers than they have had since Ms Scott was last seen at Taipa, just a short distance from her home at Cable Bay, on December 12, however.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson (Kaitaia) said last week that police had been working closely with Ms Scott's family to identify lines of inquiry, and he noted the distress her disappearance had caused for her partner, siblings and parents.

"They have been very patient, but as time moves on they are becoming more and more anxious," he said.

"We have continued with our inquiries into Leeann's disappearance, and committed significant resources to those inquiries, but are still looking for answers as to where she is and what has happened. Given the passage of time, with no contact or sightings since December 12, we obviously fear the worst for her."

Detective Sergeant Beatson could not be contacted yesterday, and it was not clear what avenues, if any, might remain open in the search for her.

Anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, is once again asked to contact the Kaitaia police on (09) 408-6500, or, anonymously, Crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.

When last seen Ms Scott was wearing a bright orange Northface 'Summit' hooded rain jacket, black exercise-style pants and creamy/brown Nike walking shoes.