Porirua Police concerned for missing Whitby woman

Porirua Police are appealing to the public for help in finding Helen Mary Garthwaite who has been missing from her Whitby home since Sunday morning.

Mrs Garthwaite is unwell and was last seen at 9.20am, Sunday, 9 December, when she left her Whitby home driving a pinky brown coloured 1993 Toyota Corolla saloon. Her family is concerned because she doesn't have her daily medication with her, and there has been no contact since she left home.

Sergeant Martin Tunley, Porirua Police, said family and police have no idea where she is, and are appealing for sightings of Mrs Garthwaite and her car. The registration number is RZ277.

Mrs Garthwaite is described as:
• Female Caucasian
• 56-years-old
• 5ft 6" tall
• Medium build
• Brown straight hair
• Hazel eyes
• Wearing blue blouse, light brown three quarter length slacks.

Sergeant Tunley said Mrs Garthwaite enjoys walking and has in the past retreated into various bush areas in the Wellington region, as far north as Masterton and the Kapiti coast. Neighbours have previously found her in a disoriented state on local Whitby bush tracks.

Anyone who has seen Mrs Garthwaite or who has information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Porirua Police on Tel: (04) 238 1400.