Grave fears for missing woman

Police released picture of Vanessa Pickering.

Police released picture of Vanessa Pickering

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Police have released two fresh pictures of a missing Christchurch woman whom they hold grave fears for.

In a statement released this afternoon, police described the pictures of missing woman Vanessa Pickering as "very recent".

A team of 30 police are searching Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula for Pickering.

She left her home in New Brighton with her seven-year-old daughter on Monday evening. She has not been seen since, but her daughter has been located and is safe in the care of her grandmother.

Detective Senior Sargeant Virginia Le Bas said police had "very grave" fears for Pickering's safety and it was out of character that she had made no attempt to contact her family.

Meanwhile, Christchurch police have found Malcolm Chaston, a man they sought in relation to Pickering's disappearance. 

Le Bas said Chaston was located by police in the Cheviot area around midday and was stopped using road spikes.

He was driving the vehicle sought in connection to Pickering's disappearance.

He did not resist and the stopping was without incident, Le Bas said.

Pickering is 27-years-old, has blonde hair, and was last known to be wearing trousers and a brown jersey.

Anyone with any information or sightings is asked to contact police on 027 2711 308.

Alternatively, if you want to contact police anonymously, please phone Crime Stoppers, 0800 555 111.

- © Fairfax NZ News