“Maybe they got into an argument and he left her there and took off home, and she has not been heard from or seen since.”
Bennett’s aunt said her niece didn’t have a phone, “so she had no way of contacting anyone”.
Whetu Bennett was captured on CCYTV at LynnMall. Photo / Supplied
A police spokesperson said earlier they were following several lines of inquiry.
“At this point, there are a number of enquiries being made, including reviewing CCTV footage.”
Her aunt said over the weekend that Whetu’s partner contacted their mother, who is based in Morrinsville, on Thursday to tell her he hadn’t heard from her since Tuesday.
The aunt said she understood the pair may have had a disagreement and the boyfriend returned home, leaving Whetu at the mall.
Meanwhile, police are also searching for another 17-year-old girl who has been reported missing by her family.
Myah, who has the mental ability of a 12-year-old, was reported missing on Friday after leaving her Red Beach home address, police said last night.
“It’s believed she was seen in Albany on Friday, after leaving Red Beach, however her whereabouts from there are unknown,” police said.
Auckland teen Myah, 17, was last seen in Albany on Friday. Photo / NZ Police
“Police and Myah’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible.”
