Seized green van focus of hunt for missing woman

Marice McGregor. Photo / Supplied

The family of a missing Wanganui woman are frustrated by lack of progress in the investigation into her disappearance.

The search for Marice McGregor, 45, is focused on a seized green van and its owner.

Ms McGregor was last seen in her red Suzuki near Lismore Forest, 20km north of Wanganui, on April 19.

Her vehicle was found parked and locked with her wallet inside later that day.

The rugged area has been scoured by police, dogs and divers but her whereabouts remain a mystery.

Ms McGregor's brother Garth McGregor said he had searched the area himself in frustration.

"One day I went and had a look in Old Parapara Rd but what do you do?" he told the Herald. "Is she actually up there?"

Police had told the family to focus on keeping positive, he said, and not get involved in the investigation.

But Mr McGregor said it was frustrating sitting back waiting.

At first he did not think his sister - who was a simple, private person - would have gone with a stranger. "But now there's a vehicle involved there's a good chance she hopped in," he said.

Police said the owner of the green van was known to Ms McGregor, but would not say if he or she was known to police.

Ms McGregor's disappearance is now being treated as suspicious.

"We don't know that there has been foul play, but we have a lengthy period of time, we have a vehicle and no account for Marice's movements after the 19th of April," said Detective Senior Sergeant Gwynne Pennell.

But police did not have anybody in custody or persons of interest, nor were they looking for a body, she said.

Mr McGregor couldn't understand why anybody would snatch his sister.

"We are talking about a beneficiary who lives a simple life," Mr McGregor said. "I just can't see what's to gain."

Yesterday police confirmed the green van of interest was linked to an address in Feilding. It is understood a scene examination has been carried out.

Ms Pennell said police believed the van was in the area where Ms McGregor was last seen and might have travelled from Wanganui towards Manawatu that night.

"We now believe that this vehicle was in the Marton township mid-evening," she said. "If we can put Marice in that vehicle in that area between the Wanganui and Manawatu area and get some timings around that, that is the information we are hoping will help us find Marice."

The car was being forensically examined yesterday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wanganui Police on (06) 349 0600 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.