Source: New Zealand Police
Police are renewing an urgent appeal for information on the whereabouts of missing Canterbury woman Rowena Walker.
Monday 15 June marked 10 months since Rowena went missing from a Burwood address in Christchurch.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said that no digital footprint and no verified sightings of Rowena have been made in that time. This absence of contact is deeply concerning for investigators and her family.
“Today is Rowena’s 40th birthday. What should be a time of celebration for her whanau is instead one of sadness and desperation.
“A search of part of the Christchurch red zone in April did not yield any positive results. Our team is planning a further search in the coming weeks.
“The investigation team is working our way through a vast amount of digital information, and we continue to speak with witnesses and identify new enquiries.
“There is still a lot of work to do, and the investigation team is dedicated and motivated to find Rowena,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Carolan.
Enquiries have led Police to believe that on or around 15 August 2025, Rowena was the victim of foul play and is no longer alive.
The investigation has indicated that there is someone in the community who knows what happened to Rowena, and it’s time for them to step up and talk to Police. Rowena has family, including young children, who deserve answers about what has happened to her.
Rowena’s partner at the time has so far declined to assist Police with our enquiries. No person can be compelled to speak with Police under any circumstances, and it is that person’s right to maintain his silence. However, as the last person known to have seen Rowena alive, his assistance is crucial to the investigation, and it is disappointing and frustrating that he is unwilling to assist us.
“I would strongly urge him to reconsider and do the right thing by Rowena and her family,” Detective Senior Sergeant Carolan said.
As has been the case from the outset, Police appeal to the public to report any information they think may be relevant, no matter how big or small.
If you have information that can assist, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
“We are grateful for the information received so far, and we continue to ask the community to help us bring answers to Rowena’s family.”
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/17/police-continue-search-for-missing-woman-rowena-walker-on-her-40th-birthday/