Rowena Walker Last Seen in August: What We Know So Far

Police in Christchurch have confirmed that items were found during the ongoing red zone search for missing woman Rowena Walker, as part of efforts to locate the 39-year-old who has not been seen since August 2025.

The discovery was made during a grid search operation involving approximately 30 police staff, focused on areas of vegetation and waterways where evidence could be concealed. Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan stated that the search, which began on April 22, 2026, could continue into Friday as investigators probe the ground for anything out of place.

Rowena Walker was last seen on CCTV on August 14, 2025, on Bassett Street in Christchurch, alongside an associate. Her mother reported her missing on October 22, 2025, after she failed to make contact with her children. Police have maintained that there is no evidence she left Christchurch before her disappearance.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan emphasized that while police continue to hope for her safe return, they must consider the possibility that Walker is no longer alive. “We go through our life and we leave footprints, digital or otherwise, in it, and Rowena hasn’t done that since mid-August 2025, and that’s really concerning for us,” Carolan said.

The search is one of multiple ongoing inquiries, with police having conducted several search warrants and followed lines of investigation across Waikato, Tasman, and Canterbury districts. Carolan noted that even the smallest piece of evidence could be crucial to solving the case.

Walker’s family has been described as “desperately worried for her safety,” particularly as her 40th birthday approaches. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing that no detail is too small to assist in the investigation.

As of April 23, 2026, the red zone search remains active, with authorities committed to leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to locate Rowena Walker.