The search for the missing Marlborough woman, Melissa Ewings, was narrowed, but police are still investigating

The physical search for Melissa Ewings, a missing Marlborough beekeeper, has been narrowed, but police say a broader investigation is underway.

Melissa Ewings, 31, has been missing for nine days despite a massive search and rescue operation.

His concerned family has growing fear for their safety and says it is out of place for the enthusiastic adventurer not to keep in touch with the family.

Ewings lived alone in a rented house in Clarence, 60 kilometers north of Kaikoura.

She was last seen just before dark on Sunday, September 20, and did not show up for work at a beekeeping business just 400 meters from her home the next morning.

This afternoon, Sergeant Major Peter Payne said police continue to ask the public for information that may lead to finding Ewings.

“While we are narrowing down the physical search for Melissa, our broader investigation phase is still ongoing,” said Payne.

“Every piece of information we receive helps us build a detailed chronology of their movements.”

Ewings had previously lived in accommodation at the beekeeping operation, used primarily by seasonal workers and including a caravan, but had moved into his own place about a month ago.

On the day she was last seen, she visited the neighbors around noon.

They told the Herald that she looked “beautiful as gold” and “happy” during the half-hour visit.

An official search for missing persons began last Monday.

Ewings’ home was reportedly found closed, with his car abandoned along with his wallet and bank cards. None of his personal belongings were missing.

“Everything was there, nothing had been taken or moved out of the house,” said Dulcie Brumpton, her Gold Coast grandmother.

However, the phone was missing.

The Herald understands that police then tracked the phone via cellular data to within 100 meters of his home.

Web searches were conducted around his property, including tall grass paddocks, State Highway 1, and native shrubbery. Neighbors have also been trying to find it and metal detectors have been used.

It is unclear if it has yet been found, and police have declined to answer questions about the device.

A search team is known to have even tried to phone him from a nearby hillside at night to see if he produced light in the dark.

Police have also seized CCTV from neighboring properties and searched it for clues.

Police search teams have searched all local properties and spoken to residents, the Herald understands, along with search and rescue teams traversing the nearby Clarence River, which has been swollen and muddy since his disappearance. Checks of the coast have also been carried out, while helicopters have been watching from the sky.

“It’s been more than seven days and it’s a complete mystery. Something’s not right,” a local told the Herald.

Blenheim CIB detectives are investigating. Police have a mobile base installed nearby and previously said they had recruited search teams from across the South Island to help.

Ewings employers have not responded to messages.

The family had been told that Ewings had encountered two older women during his walk Sunday night.

“They said they saw her get in her car and drive home, but no one has seen her since.

“I thought she was actually down … but these women said they saw her drive home so I don’t know.”

Ewings’ mother is said to be distraught and has barely slept since learning of her disappearance when her boss reported it Monday morning.

“He travels a lot and was working on [Clarence]… and he loved his job, he loved it. So it’s very strange that all of this happened, “Brumpton said.

Brumpton said he last spoke with his granddaughter on Friday.

Ewings was in a good mood and was telling her about possible plans to attend a car show on Saturday with a friend from work.

Brumpton said it was odd that Ewings had not contacted anyone.

“We’re starting to hesitate a bit. It’s strange for her not to have been in contact with someone. She contacts everyone, the whole family, all the time.”

Ewings was one of five siblings, he said, and part of a closer family.

* Anyone with information should contact 105, citing file number 200922/5064.