Missing Waikato woman case now a manslaughter

Published: 5:15PM Tuesday September 18, 2012 Source: ONE News

A manslaughter inquiry has been launched following the mysterious disappearance of a Waikato woman.

Police believe Rae Portman, 33, is no longer alive based on information they have received from the public.

"The Police investigation into the disappearance of Rae (Bok) Portman is now being treated as a manslaughter," Detective Inspector Mark Gutry of the Counties Manukau Police said this afternoon.

"The elevation to a manslaughter is based on information from the public through the 0800 RaePortman and the Crimestoppers phone numbers."

The 33-year-old was last seen on June 20 when she drove the silver Volkswagen Passat from Hamilton to Auckland for a friend to repair after it failed a warrant of fitness.

Portman checked into the Mt Albert Motel on New North Road in Auckland that evening and has not made contact with any family members, close friends or accessed her bank since.

Last week it was revealed Portman was pregnant at the time of her disappearance.

Her mother Rebecca Norton said at a press conference on September 4 the family were desperately worried about her whereabouts and conceded her daughter may not longer be alive.

"Rae is actually four months pregnant, is or was at this stage, so not only am I grieving for the loss of my daughter, I'm actually in the position where I'm grieving my first grandchild," Norton said.

The mother pleaded for anyone who knew of Portman's whereabouts to come forward.

"I think the hardest thing is not actually knowing, it's the not knowing what has happened to Rae."

A team of 20 police officers are working on the case, and several arrests have already been made.

Last week, a friend of Portman appeared in the Auckland District Court after admitting selling Portman's car just two weeks after her disappearance.

In an interview to police, the woman explained she did not have permission from Portman or her family to collect the vehicle.

She has been remanded until November 20 for a status hearing.

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