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Carmen Thomas - Source: NZ Police -
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Police are reported to be investigating two men who are
understood to have known Auckland woman Carmen Thomas.
The New Zealand Herald said police investigating the disappearance
of Thomas, who they believe has been murdered, have tracked two men
who were in Waikato when her car was abandoned.
However police today attempted to distance themselves from what
they said was "the Herald's beliefs".
The paper said police are understood to have traced the men's
mobile phone usage.
Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said: "Police have not
identified who killed or disposed of Carmen therefore, in order to
maintain the integrity of our investigation, it's not possible to
publicly speculate on who was involved in her disappearance and
disposal."
He said police believe she has been murdered but don't know where
she is.
Thomas has not been seen alive since July 1 and her abandoned car
was found in Hamilton four days later. Police said enough blood was
found inside for them to believe Thomas was dead.
The 32-year-old, who worked as an escort, was reported missing on
July 13 when she failed to pick up her five-year-old son, Jack, as
expected.
Thomas' mother, Teresa Scott, flew to New Zealand to be involved in
the inquiry but subsequently returned to South Africa after making
an emotional plea for members of the public to come forward with
information to help in finding her daughter.
A friend of Thomas told the Herald she was text-messaging the
missing woman the Sunday before she was last seen.
"I think I fell asleep so I replied back to one of her texts on
Monday morning but didn't get a reply," she said.
