Christchurch police say it is "disappointing and frustrating" that the partner of missing woman Rowena Walker will not assist with investigations into her disappearance 10 months ago.
Walker went missing from a Burwood address in Christchurch on August 15 2025, and there had since been extensive searches and appeals for information about her including throughout Christchurch's red zone.
She was with her partner on the evening she disappeared.
Today is her 40th birthday.
Inquiries have since led officers to believe that "on or around August 15, 2025, Rowena was the victim of foul play and is no longer alive".
"For somebody to have no presence in the world for what is now 10 months is just not natural. I would venture it’s almost impossible to achieve," Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan told reporters today at a press conference.
Carolan said Walker's partner was the last verified person to have seen her alive.
"I can't rule out the possibility that somebody else has done since then, but we have no information to suggest that."
He has so far declined to assist police with their inquiries.
"No person can be compelled to speak with police under any circumstances, and it is that person’s right to maintain his silence," she said.
"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," Carolan said.
She said Walker's mother was "beside herself and just needs answers".
"No parent should have to go through life not knowing what's happened to their child and that's the reality that she's facing."
Carolan renewed pleas for information, saying that no digital footprint and no verified sightings of Walker had been reported in the past 10 months.
"This absence of contact is deeply concerning for investigators and her family.
"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."
Police urged anyone with information they think may be relevant, no matter how big or small to get in contact online, by calling 105 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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