Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie:
Police are supporting the family of the 81-year-old Canterbury woman, Valerie, who was located yesterday after being missing for four days.
Valerie remains in hospital receiving medical care and is surrounded by her loved ones. Our thoughts are with Valerie and her family as she recovers.
The family are requesting privacy at this time and ask that no further calls or door knocks are made. Any further comment from the family will be provided through Police when appropriate.
Valerie was reported missing on Saturday, prompting an extensive search.
Police carried out detailed enquiries, including an initial search and reviewing hours of CCTV and traffic camera footage. From that, an area of interest was identified.
Around 30 staff were deployed to carry out a grid search, and Valerie was located lying in long grass on Tunnel Road, SH 74, between the walking track and the road.
It is not yet known how long she had been in that location. Enquiries into her movements remain ongoing.
Valerie has spent four nights in the elements, and Police acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in helping to locate her.
Local businesses were instrumental, recognising her as a regular in the area and helping confirm sightings.
Police again thank the public and local businesses for their assistance and ask that the family’s request for privacy is respected.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/10/update-2-police-locate-missing-81-year-old/