Carmen murder shock sets in

Forensic experts found traces of blood in Carmen Thomas' car in Hamilton and began this search of her home. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Family and friends desperate for news of missing Auckland mother Carmen Thomas are now grappling with the fact that she was murdered.

Police have revealed that they believe the 32-year-old escort was "killed and her body disposed of".

They say traces of blood were found in the former South African's abandoned Nissan Pulsar in Hamilton last month but have not said whose it is.

"There is forensic evidence - blood - in her car that supports our belief that she's been killed," said spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty.

Members of the 30-plus Operation Keppel team believe Ms Thomas' car was driven to Hamilton's Dyer St and dumped late on July 7 or early onJuly 8.

Ms Thomas' estranged partner, Brad Callaghan, who has joint custody of their 5-year-old son Jack, told the Herald he was still trying to get his head around it all.

He thought police had been "keeping [him] in the loop" about all developments since she vanished, but did not know about the blood until Saturday night.

Mr Callaghan said he had spoken to police "numerous times" and did not know who else was helping with inquiries. He refused to comment on whether he had provided a DNA sample to police.

Yesterday Ms Thomas' friends voiced their sadness on a Facebook site that has more than 1000 members.

Ms Thomas' mother, Teresa Scott - who spent 12 days in New Zealand helping police - wrote from South Africa that her heart was broken.

"Carmen we love you," she posted.

Friend Nikki Tremayne said hope had gone and reality kicked in.

"And that really sucks," she wrote. "The last month I have been holding on waiting for the minute when we find you well and safe now my worst fears have come true ... I have lost an amazing friend and this is not going to be easy to deal with. This is my worst nightmare."

Tim Seulua hoped Ms Thomas would be found "to ease the pain for her friends [and] family".

"No one should have to suffer through something like this we all pray that she will be found," he said.

Nearly two months after Carmen was last seen alive, experts say police probably withheld the blood find for strategic reasons and because evidential testing can take months.

"I wouldn't want to speculate because it could be a number of things, but the fact that they've held that back ... maybe if they were to expose that it might prejudice their chances in terms of some line of inquiry they had," said Bruce Couper, a former detective now managing director of Risq NZ.

Neil Grimstone, the security manager for Matrix Security, said police had to be tactical and open-minded.

"You have to keep your vision wide ... You can't narrow it down straight in off the bat," he said.

Police have also revealed a wheelie bin has vanished from Ms Thomas' Remuera home since she disappeared. A Herald reporter saw one at the house on July 16, but police say they do not know exactly when it disappeared.

Inquiry head Detective Inspector Mark Benefield yesterday refused to comment on possible suspects for the killing.

There have been no corroborated sightings of Ms Thomas since June 27 and her last contact with the outside world was a text to her Pakuranga gentlemen's club boss on July 3.

Anyone with information on her disappearance should contact police on 0800 KEPPEL (0800 537 735).