"North Shore Police seeking public assistance into disappearance of 34 year-old Melanie Watson"

Photos - New Zealand Police site

North Shore Police investigating the disappearance of a Birkdale woman are making a public appeal for information in relation to her whereabouts.

34 year-old Melanie Watson hasn’t been in contact with her family for more than 3 weeks.

She missed her father’s birthday on Wednesday 26 November, and was reported missing to Police on the following day.

Detectives have been making enquiries with her friends, family and associates and have followed up on a number of sightings provided by them, however the last corroborated sighting of Melanie is around lunchtime on Tuesday 25 November, at an address in Beachhaven.

“The fact that Melanie is still not accounted for is concerning to Police.

The profile that we have built of Melanie and her usual whereabouts is that the extended period of time that she has gone without contacting anyone is out of character” says Detective Inspector Kevin Hooper, Waitemata Police.

“Melanie hasn’t been in touch with her children in the South Island.

Her sister is also here in Auckland on a planned trip from overseas and is due to fly home tomorrow and there has been no contact from Melanie, which is also unusual ” says Detective Inspector Hooper.

Melanie is described as the following;

-Female european

-171 centimetres tall

-Thin build

-Black hair

-Olive complexion

-She has distinctive glove-style tattoos on both hands which go around the wrist and cover the front of the hand, extending down to the middle fingers (pictured).

The tattoo on Melanie’s left hand is larger than the right.

She also has writing on the back of her neck, and a tribal ankle band on her right leg leading down into her foot .

“We are appealing to the public for any sightings of Melanie.

She has those distinctive hand tattoos and I am encouraging people particularly on the North Shore to think back and consider whether they have seen her.

Melanie also has the skin condition psoriasis and normally uses a sunbed at a relative’s home to relieve the symptoms.

Her family have advised Police that when she doesn’t use the sunbeds her symptoms are quite severe and the psoriasis will be noticeable on her arms, hands, legs and feet.

Enquiries with local hospitals have not revealed any information as to her whereabouts.

“We’re also appealing to anyone who is in the beauty industry and operates sunbeds to check whether they have had a customer matching her description.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Shore Police on 09 477 5000.

Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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