Police believe missing woman dead as Queenstown search enters recovery

Police believe a South Island woman who has been missing for a month is dead. 

Sergeant Terry Wood said the search for Erika Rodrigues Coelho near Queenstown has moved to a recovery phase. 

The 47-year-old was last seen on Friday, September 18 near Skippers Saddle. 

“Extensive search efforts and enquiries so far have failed to locate Erika and police have moved to a recovery phase,” said Wood. 

“We understand this is a difficult time for Erika’s family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them.” 

Two specialist dog teams from Christchurch and Blenheim have been brought in to assist the search. 

They are specifically combing areas the team believe Erika would have most likely have travelled, Wood said. 

Officers are still looking for any information that can help locate Erika. 

“Any detail might help investigators understand what happened or where Erika went.” 

A report can be made by calling 105 or by using the online service. On the website, click ‘Update report’. Reference file number 260921/8173. 

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

The physical search was paused on October 6. 

Earlier this month, her family told the Herald they were left “devastated” and with no answers after police paused the search. 

Her older brother, Alexandre Coelho, said the hardest part was having no indication of what might have happened to her. 

He said his mother, Aldivina Coelho, was “devastated” and becoming increasingly distressed with each development. 

She was struggling even to speak to him and other family members, he said. 

Erika’s close friend Bruna Rech was keeping in touch with her family in Brazil. 

The lack of any trace of her friend was the hardest part for Rech to understand. 

She said she was left anxious with a feeling of “anguish” over the uncertainty of what had happened to her friend. 

Erika had spoken to Rech about personal difficulties before she disappeared and had been seeing a therapist, she said.