Emotional plea in missing Carmen Thomas case

JOHN SELKIRK

EMOTIONAL: Teresa Scott makes a public plea for information about her missing daughter, Carmen Thomas.

WHERE IS SHE? Carmen Thomas has not been seen since July 1.

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Police search for Carmen Thomas' handbag

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The mother of missing Auckland woman Carmen Thomas today made an emotional appeal for news of the daughter police now fear may be dead.

A sobbing Teresa Scott told a media conference that her daughter's five-year-old son missed her very much.

She described her daughter as fun-loving, friendly and a good mother.

Ms Scott flew from South Africa last week to help in the search for Ms Thomas, who police now believe may have been the victim of foul play.

"We have to acknowledge that things are looking pretty sinister at this stage of the investigation," inquiry head Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said yesterday.

"Given that she has a five year-old son who is missing her and that her mother has travelled from South Africa to help find her, one could reasonably assume that, if she was alive and well, she might have tried to contact police or her family."

Ms Thomas, who worked as an escort at an Auckland club, was reported missing on July 13 after she failed to collect her son from a house in Auckland. Her car was later found in Hamilton.

Police revealed yesterday several items belonging to Ms Thomas and her car were unaccounted for.

Her Nissan Pulsar car (registration number ATS 209) was reported as abandoned in Hamilton on July 5, and there have been no corroborated sightings since footage of her at an Auckland supermarket on June 27.

Her car had a temporary spare left rear tyre when recovered in Hamilton, but the car's standard tyre and jack equipment have not been found, Mr Benefield said.

"Further, the turquoise-coloured handbag that Carmen always used was not in her car or her home when police searched it.

"Car keys are also unaccounted for. We'd very much like to know where these items are."

Cash, an overnight bag and a child's car seat were in the vehicle.

Ms Thomas' bank accounts had not been touched, and she had not contacted family or friends.

- NZPA