Police interview Sensing Murder psychics
Desperate for new information in Kaye Stewart mystery
The Dominion Post
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Wellington
Police now strongly believe Kaye Stewart was murdered and have resorted to interviewing two television psychics in a desperate search for a new lead.
For the first time, detectives have interviewed the Sensing Murder programme's stars in the search for any new information about Mrs Stewart, 62. The former physiotherapist to the All Blacks, who lived in Northland, Wellington, vanished when walking in Rimutaka Forest Park in 2005.
The interview will be screened as part of the show on Tuesday.
Police say they are now "80 per cent" certain Mrs Stewart was murdered. Her family agree.
Sensing Murder is one of New Zealand's most popular shows, drawing about 600,000 viewers each week, but despite running for three seasons it has yet to produce a significant breakthrough in a murder case.
Police have distanced themselves from the show and psychics in general, treating their information as they would that from any other member of the public.
Sensing Murder producers say psychic Deb Webber had named a person involved in the Kaye Stewart inquiry. Her revelation "could go down in New Zealand policing history".
But Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy said police who interviewed Webber and fellow psychic Kelvin Cruickshank had already discounted that person, and other publicly unknown information revealed by the pair had failed to produce any fresh leads.
"I'm sitting on the fence [regarding psychics].
"When you're dealing with a mystery and foul play is seriously suspected, we will look at any little piece of information anyone comes up with."
The psychics had described the Conservation Department compound that Mrs Stewart had visited at the entrance to the park, and pointed to a general area where an "encounter" took place.
"She may have met someone there or something may have happened there. There's a lot of speculation and we've got to deal with facts," Mr Levy said.
The TV show's rules normally ensure the psychics have no prior information about a case - but the Stewart family had dealings with both psychics previously. Ninox Television, which produces the show, said the psychics realised they were familiar with the case only when they were halfway through filming.
Mrs Stewart's husband, Bob, said it was more important to raise public awareness than to debate the reality of psychic powers.
The family visited the park on Mrs Stewart's birthday and anniversaries to leave flowers, he said.
"She has been killed and discarded like an animal, hidden in a sort of ... not even a grave. If we're going to solve what happened to Kaye people have to remain vigilant.
"One day her remains will be found by someone who still has it in their head. We just want Kaye's body back so we can move on. If they catch the person who did it that's a bonus."
Prominent defence lawyer John Billington, QC, said he doubted that a psychic's evidence would be admissible in court.
"Well, it's not a fact, is it? I would be very surprised if the law even allowed it."
Though police received many tips from self-proclaimed psychics only a few had ever led anywhere.
A "psychic" woman was a star witness in the Mark Lundy murder trial in 2001, but she claimed her powers were not used.
In 2007, a psychic tip to Palmerston North police led them to the clothes of missing dementia sufferer Jim Alexander, who was later found dead.
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A quad bike was seen leaving Rimutaka Forest Park a few hours after Mrs Stewart arrived there, and could have been used to transport her body. It has never been identified.
Over 100 people in the area have been questioned, including some who owned quad bikes, but there are no likely suspects.
Police exhaustively searched the area where Mrs Stewart went walking. They found a watch, glasses and even a gemstone from a ring - none of which belonged to her.
Her car was found parked near the track, but there was no suicide note and no forensic evidence.
A $50,000 reward for information had little response.
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The only way to find out if phychics are real is to book yourself in in and give it a go. I have had one reading only in my life and co incidently it was with Sue Nicholson. Let me tell you. She is real. There is no way she could possibly have known what she came out with. It sent every hair on the back of my neck up. So shut up, put up and go find out for yourself.
All these stupid comments just shows how closed minded most people are and criticize something that they have not studied themselves. There are none so blind as those who WILL NOT see.
After watching the show, while not convinced, I feel that it doesn't hurt to cover all the bases. I would consider that the Police would be negligent to not at least consider anything these Psychics come up with as much as they do any other person that calls them regarding cases. As the article said, what the Psychics say on their own won't stand up in court, so there will have to be corroborating evidence, and seeing they haven't got a lot to go on at the moment anything they say is as good a place to start as any. So what if it seems 'out there'? Worst that can happen is they don't find her and no one will be any worse off. The publicity from the programme may be enough to jog someone else's memory and help with the investigation, even without a direct result from the Psychics. And no, I am not a Policeman (nor Policewoman)
Well of course these psychics cant solve the crimes because they cannont produce factual evidence as they are not the murderers. give them a break. These familys are chosing to have psychic help by the way as they are desperate for answers. although cases may not be solved they might get comfort in knowing their loved ones are at peace now. I reckon Deb and Kelvin are good at what they do and seem somewhat uncanny.
Absolutely agree with Ange,somehow so called "materialists" or skeptics are the ones who usually resort to accusations and name calling to prove their rightness.Police should be thanked for being the first legal institution in New Zealand to show open minded approach and willingness to investigate and listen rather then reject and refuse outrightly. Having had a personal experience with Deb Webber I can tell that those five minutes of unexpected conversation have changed my life profoundly and I believe to the better, made me to rethink what I used to take for granted and open my eyes to the mere possibilities of a bigger picture.
Such Gifted Pychics, youve helped many grieving families who were looking for answers and in need of comfort its a huge eye opener for the many God Bless.
I cant understand why there are people out there who believe we are the be all and end all of life as we know it. Some people have "special" abilities that others do not understand. Why does this have to mean that things like this do not exist? I never understood some things, but who am I to say that they arent real? As having had personal experiences with 1 of these psychics, I am extremely grateful for the information that was produced from nothing but a first name given and if only more people had this experience would you truly know that not everything is so black and white in this life.
I know before you make comments you do need to know the facts and this author of this artcile does not have all the facts even though he was given the opportunity to state the facts he chose not to......
You need to go to the source and find out the correct information before making judgements.....
Blessed Be! and may The Goddess give you the insight to understand the truth.........
See you all on the the Otherside.......
I thought I might be the first to be skeptical about psychics but I am a bit late. Have the poor police had pressure put on them to "consult" with these delusional people? I feel sorry for the Police, they get criticized if they don't use every possible means , including these nutters .
To my knowledge and according to the Skeptical Inquirer magazine, no psychic has ever been successful in solving a murder case- regardless of their claims . Lets get them to detail their successes in this country.
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I'm really impressed by the psychic's work - yes, I'm a believer ! Good on the police for taking a different approach - that shows courage on behalf of the police and I wouldn't be suprised if there is a real breakthrough soon.