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Carmen Thomas - Source: ONE News
A group of friends and family who have set up a Facebook site supporting the search for missing Auckland woman Carmen Thomas, say they're furious at newspaper reports today that claim to know where Thomas is.
The NZ Herald reported this morning that the body of the missing mother is believed to have been dumped in bush southeast of Auckland.
But the Herald didn't cite a source for the information and that's infuriated friends.
Natalie Hunter wrote that Thomas' family are going through enough, without "printing leads that haven't been mentioned or enquired about".
Relative Nina Humble-Lavagna wrote: "This is shocking how can any reporter of any substance print those words, 'cut into pieces' without hard evidence, heartless and disgusting. This is my much-loved cousin he is talking about as if she were nothing."
Another relative, Carolyn Lavagna said: "If this is true, why do Teresa [Carmen's mother] and the rest of us family not know first? This is too distressing to even think about. I cannot bear to think of this, Nina is getting in touch with NZ Police and we hope to know if this is relevant or not."
But police have told ONE News that the Herald story is inaccurate, and a short time ago issued a release.
Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said the New Zealand Herald reporter put some suggestions and questions to police yesterday and, in response, was provided with the following statement:
"Police are in regular contact with the father of Carmen's child and Thursday's interactions with him were to do with providing support to the family as victims of crime," Benefield said.
"Police don't know what's happened to Carmen or where she is. Anyone, including members of the media, who has information that is likely to progress the investigation needs to contact us.
"I can't elaborate on the details of forensics that we have aside from to confirm, once again, the presence of blood in Carmen's car."
Benefield acknowledged that speculation and rumours were rife in certain circles about what's become of Carmen but reiterated that Police deal in facts, evidence and credible information.
"Carmen has a mother, a son, other relatives and friends. Public speculation about the possible circumstances of her demise are upsetting for them and unhelpful to a police investigation team committed to finding her and returning her to her family."
Anyone with information should go to Operation Keppel on 0800 KEPPEL - 0800 537 735 - or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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