Missing mother depressed

Kerikeri woman Cristel De Vetten was last seen on February 10

Missing Kerikeri mother Cristel De Vetten was battling depression and working through custody issues involving her 4-year-old son by a former partner when she suddenly vanished from her home eight days ago.

Ms De Vetten, 30, a former childcare worker, has been the subject of an intensive search by Northland search and rescue teams, specialist police staff, coast guard and dogs since she went missing from her rural Redcliffs Road home, 10km north of Kerikeri.

Her partner, John Craven, and her young son Jaxon were the last to see her alive shortly after Social Welfare staff paid a routine visit to the Matua Block property on February 10.

She has not been seen since.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Pannett said police were keeping an open mind on Ms De Vetten and no one person had been isolated as a suspect in relation to her disappearance.

"We're waiting for forensic test results. We can't rule out foul play as an option yet, along with accident, misadventure or self-harm."

Ms De Vetten's sister Nicki, from Kaitaia, told reporters at the Kerikeri police station yesterday that Cristel was a good, caring mother whose energies were focused on looking after her son.

She said Cristel had split up with her former partner last year and she had been working through custody issues involving Jaxon, who is in the care of her former partner in Kerikeri.

Nicki appealed to her sister: "We love you, we miss you lots, please ring us."

Carmen, who didn't want her surname used, is also from Kaitaia and was Ms De Vetten's best friend of eight years. She described her friend as "bubbly, with an awesome laugh".

She knew the missing woman when she worked at the Abundant Life (Church) Centre in Kaitaia.

"We really miss you, mate. We just want you to come home," Carmen said.

Mr Pannett said Ms De Vetten had appeared to become increasingly withdrawn during the past few weeks.

"We're looking at an aspect of depression. It's fair to say she was suffering a degree of depression. There was stress over her custody issues," he said.

There had been no sign of a struggle on the property on the day Ms De Vetten disappeared, and nothing was missing from the house.

Two cars she had access to and her cellphone remained at the address.

"We've got an open mind as to whether she's still alive, but as every day goes by, the chances of finding her become slimmer," Mr Pannett said.

A body-seeking cadaver dog brought from Auckland had found nothing significant during searches of the coastal and inland area surrounding the woman's home.

Police still want information from people who had contact with Ms De Vetten in the weeks leading up to her disappearance. This can be passed to Kerikeri police on (09) 407-9211 or to Operation Glass on (09) 407-1672.

Searching will continue this weekend until the situation is reassessed next week.