Police keen to put Fran's case to rest

Taupo police are keen to "put to rest" the case of Hamilton woman Francesca Martin whose disappearance two years ago this month sparked a massive search.

Ms Martin, who was known to friends and family as Fran, was last seen in Hamilton on April 20, 2005.

She left her home and drove to the Caltex Service Station on Naylor St to buy cigarettes but was never seen again.

Her car was found abandoned the following evening at Wairakei, north of Taupo.

A truck driver said he saw two people in the car, which was parked on State Highway 1 near the intersection with State Highway 5 near Wairakei.

In the weeks following Ms Martin's disappearance Taupo police scoured the area where her car was found. Neither ground nor air searches came up with any trace of her.

Detective Sergeant David Beattie of the Taupo CIB said at the time police believed the car was used only as transport.

"They left the keys on the passenger seat and Fran's wallet in the car," he said.

Police offered to overlook charges of unlawfully taking the vehicle if the person came forward and told them where they took the vehicle from. But there was no response.

Yesterday, Mr Beattie issued a fresh plea for any information that might help police close the case.

"While it is highly unlikely that she will be found alive, it is important for the family and police to put this case to rest. There are many unanswered questions and I believe there is someone out there that does possess vital information and for one reason or another has declined the opportunity to contact police."

Ms Martin's disappearance came 16 months after Palmerston North woman June Sowerby went missing near Turangi.

The 58-year-old disappeared in daylight near the Tongariro Bridge at the northern end of Turangi on Christmas Eve, 2003. She was last seen in the car park just north of the bridge between 8pm and 8.30pm. She has never been found.

Despite the sudden disappearance of both women, police said there were no links between the two cases.