Family pleads for information on missing woman

Kaye Stewart

The family of missing Wellington woman Kaye Stewart today made a desperate plea to the public for information.

Mrs Stewart, 62, has been missing since setting off for a walk in the Rimutaka Forest Park near Wellington more than two weeks ago.

Her husband Bob Stewart and twin daughters Jane Galanakis and Tania Stewart spoke at a media briefing in Welllington.

Mr Stewart said the family had been struggling to understand Mrs Stewart's disappearance. "For the last 16 days our lives have been in turmoil.

"It's a total mystery to us where she is and we're hoping that somebody out there will have some information."

Between 40 and 50 people are combing Rimutaka Forest Park today searching for any sign of Mrs Stewart after she was last seen on Monday two weeks ago asking for directions on an access road to the park.

Looking haggard and tearful at times, Mr Stewart said the family was "completely bewildered" over the disappearance of his wife of 36 years.

The retired physiotherapist never returned from what was supposed to be a short walk in the Catchpool area of the park on Monday, June 13.

The last confirmed sighting of her was about 12.30pm when she asked Conservation Department staff for directions back to her car, which was about 2km away.

She had been in good spirits and good health the day she set out to fill in some time before lunch with a walk in the park, Mr Stewart said.

He described his wife as "a loving caring" woman, "out-going and popular".

"She is a mother and grandmother of three young boys.

"Kaye is in our hearts and our lives."

His voice broke as he described how much she loved her work as a physiotherapist in hospitals and in private practice, where she specialised in sport physiotherapy, treating many clients, including well-known All Blacks.

"She helped many people over the years and we hope that people will now help us and help Kaye."

He said the family, who had been searching the park "all day every day" from day one, had been relieved when the police announced they were to resume the official search of the forest park beginning yesterday.

A four-day police and civilian volunteer search of trails, tracks, streams, bush and roadsides immediately following Mrs Stewart's disappearance failed to turn up any sign of her.

"We are grateful for the support of our friends and family and in particular to the police and civilian volunteers who have been involved in the search -- they've done a tremendous job.

"Somebody must know something that will explain what can't be explained.

"If you have seen anything, no matter how insignificant it seems, please tell us, tell the police."

He noted police were still wanting to speak to the driver of a four wheel bike seen driving down the Forest Park Rd towards the Wainuiomata Coast Rd about 1.50pm that day, and a grey car driving in the opposite direction.

His wife was very fit, she went to the gym 2-3 times a week, and was an experienced bush walker, and it was not unusual for her to go walking alone, he said.

"This [the disappearance] is absolutely out of character -- she was very much in control of herself."

He said they had "a very happy marriage" and had been set up to enjoy retirement together, spending a lot of time with their young grandchildren.

When asked whether the family had considered the possibility of foul play, he said there had been nothing to suggest that.

"We've nothing to go on at all -- that's why we have to have help.... "We still hope that Kaye will be found.

"God help us, if she's not."

Detective Senior Sergeant Soni Malaulau told reporters that a pair of glasses and a watch found near the falls in the park yesterday turned out not to belong to Mrs Stewart.

"We have found nothing of any significance so far."

He said police had explored "all scenarios" but he could not speculate on any theories around her disappearance.

"We can only rely on the facts.

"That's why we're building up a complete picture of all the people and all the vehicles that were in the park on Monday, the 13th."

The park will remain closed while the search continues today and possibly tomorrow.

Police would spend at least the next week and possibly two weeks sifting through the information already amassed, he said.

- NZPA