No sign of missing young man from Nelson

Police in Nelson are asking rural property owners to check sheds and garages in the ongoing search for missing man Leo Lipp-Neighbours.

19-year-old Leo has now been missing since Sunday 24th January 2010.

He was last seen at about 4.00am that Sunday morning when he left his flat alone and drove away in his distinctive orange Toyota Corolla station wagon, registration NQ7258. Leo or his car have not been seen since.

Police received a number of calls over the weekend in relation to possible sightings of the car, which extended as far north as Devonport, Auckland and as far south as Punakaiki, West Coast, South Island.

Police have followed up on the information provided by the public and have been able to eliminate these reported sightings.

A vehicle located upside down in the Wairau river by a local helicopter operator, on Monday 8th February, has also been eliminated from the search.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Langridge said a large search operation had so far found nothing:

"A huge part of the upper South Island has now been covered by air, road and foot. It's hard to imagine where Leo's distinctive car is and why we haven't found it".

In addition to the Search and Rescue volunteers walking the main arterial routes over the weekend, kayakers searched the Buller river which is very low and clear at the moment. No evidence was found of Mr Lipp-Neighbours car having entered the river.

"I ask that the owners of vacant properties and rural land owners in the Nelson Bays and Marlborough areas check any garages or farm sheds which haven't been visited since the 24th January. It's another possibility we wish to eliminate - Leo may have driven into a vacant property or rural shed and may still be there, which is why we haven't found him".

"Another possibility is that his car has gone into deep water along SH1 where the car would not be visible" said Mr Langridge

Any information in relation to Leo's disappearance or information can be forwarded through Nelson Police.

Contact: Nelson Police, 03 546 3893