The mother of a missing Auckland escort has returned home to South Africa after a fruitless visit to New Zealand to help the police find for her daughter.
Remuera mother, Carmen Thomas, 32, has been missing since 1 July.
Her car was found abandoned in Hamilton about a week afterwards.
Teresa Scott was in Auckland for 12 days to plead for anyone who knew where her daughter was, to come forward.
But Detective Inspector Mark Benefield says Ms Scott left New Zealand on Thursday morning without any positive news.
Mr Benefield says he was frank with her and acknowledged her worst fears - that the circumstances of her daughter's disappearance are sinister.
He says there are several phases of the investigation to go, including following up on security footage and on information about Ms Thomas provided by her family and friends.
