Christchurch missing woman Elisabeth Nicholls: Police hold press conference

Christchurch police say they have “grave concerns” for a vulnerable woman who went missing on her first day in respite care a week ago.

Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, has been missing since last Wednesday, June 4.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge spoke to media at Christchurch central police station this afternoon.

Nicholls, who suffers from dementia, had just been admitted to Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in the Riccarton area of the city.

A spokesperson for the Ryman rest home respite care facility confirmed she was admitted last Wednesday.

79-year old Elisabeth went missing in Christchurch. Photo / Police

At 6.20pm, team members at the village “became aware that the resident had left and immediately conducted a search of the premises”.

“The village where the resident was staying is a rest home only facility, where residents are able to come and go,” the spokesperson said earlier.

“Ryman is working closely alongside family and police to assist their search efforts and provide support.”

The next day, police issued a release to seek the public’s help in trying to find her.

Detective Sergeant Aldridge this afternoon said the last confirmed sighting was at 7.54pm at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton last Wednesday.

But despite extensive searches, there have been no further sightings or items of interest to lead police closer to finding her.

Today police appealed for help in tracking her down, including urging locals to check their backyards, sheds, sleepouts, or anywhere someone could seek shelter.

Aldridge also asked people to check CCTV footage from 6.40pm on June 4 to 8am the following day.

Elisabeth Nicholls, known as Liz, is physically strong, police said, and could have walked some distance.

It has been an extremely difficult time for the family, Aldridge said.

She read a statement from Liz’s husband of nearly 60 years, Gary Nicholls, who said she is an adored wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague who always put others first.

The family say they have lived with painful uncertainty for the past week and are very grateful for the help from police, search and rescue, Canterbury University students, and others who have helped in the “cold, rain and darkness to bring Liz home”.

Aldridge said the last week has been “incredibly cold and wet”.

“We have grave concerns for her well-being,” she said.

There was nothing to suggest foul play, police say, but they have to keep an open mind.

An unconfirmed report of Nicholls being seen in Mona Vale earlier was a “red herring”, police now say.

She was said to be wearing navy jeans, a black-and-grey long-sleeved shirt, with a maroon top underneath, black shoes and has distinctive grey, shoulder-length hair.

Her desperate family circulated flyers over the city, and took out billboards space, featuring her photo, and seeking any information to her whereabouts.

Police Search and Rescue, and volunteers from Land Search and Rescue, have also been scouring the Fendalton and Riccarton areas.

Anyone who encounters Nicholls, should ring 111 immediately.