Nortessa Montgomerie is helped onto a Westpac Rescue Helicopter after her kidnap ordeal. Photo / Supplied
The victim of the Great Barrier Island abduction has been reunited with her partner, but is so shaken from her 36-hour-ordeal that yesterday she could barely speak.
Nortessa Montgomerie, 20, was released from Auckland Hospital yesterday but was traumatised, her stepmother Peta Sinclair said.
"She still can't really talk, she's
stuttering a lot. It's amazing how long [the shock] lasts."
Family and friends knew little about what she endured during the alleged abduction, or if she'd been harmed physically.
"I think she was, but I don't know the details. She looks okay from the outside."
Miss Montgomerie was snatched from her father Pete Montgomerie's home near Claris on the island's east coast late on Thursday night after her partner, Mike, was attacked with a crowbar.
Local residents and armed police started an intensive search.
It is understood Miss Montgomerie was held in a house on Mason Rd by her former boyfriend Nathan Boulter.
The 21-year-old was yesterday charged with breach of bail, but more serious charges are likely.
He will appear in the Auckland District Court today.
Armed police rescued Miss Montgomerie after a 9-year-old boy heard her cries for help.
Ms Sinclair said there hadn't been time for questions before she was taken to hospital by helicopter.
"Once she got over to hospital no one could really contact her because she was in trauma management."
Miss Montgomerie was reunited with Mike yesterday and was due to return to Great Barrier Island today. He has also been released from hospital but will need specialist medical care.
Ms Sinclair said being unable to help search for Miss Montgomerie was difficult for Mike.
She said preparations had begun for Miss Montgomerie's homecoming.
A police forensic team has finished its scene examination at Claris but investigators were still on the island yesterday interviewing residents.
Residents were warned to lock cars and homes and stay inside during the search.
