Missing French tourist Pierre Paludet's disappearance 'out of character'

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Police are searching for French national Pierre Paludet, after Haumoana Beach residents reported his car sitting for several days in a beach car park.

Police are continuing their search for missing French tourist Pierre Paludet, who has not been seen since Friday.

On Tuesday, Detective Senior Sergeant Martin James said Paludet's disappearance was out of character.

Haumoana Beach residents went to police after a car being used by Paludet sat in a beach car park for several days.

'He's clearly a missing person. We're still in the process of establishing his profile and working with his family to get a better picture of his movements here in New Zealand.'

James said French authorities were also involved in the search, and his mother and brother, who lived in France, were 'becoming concerned' about the situation.

'They are certainly becoming concerned, because it's totally out of character.'

Paludet, 32, has been described as athletic, sports-minded and fit.

He was last seen by a member of the public about 6.30pm on Friday in Haumoana, about 12 kilometres east of Hastings.

James was unsure of the exact date Paludet first came to New Zealand, but said it would have been about three months ago.

Hawke's Bay Police, LandSar and surf lifesaving teams were searching the Haumoana reserve and estuary area on Tuesday.

Investigators were keeping an open mind about his disappearance, and a thorough search of the area was the next step in the inquiry, James said.

Police first became aware of Paludet's disappearance after locals contacted police about the car he had been travelling in, which had been left in a beach car park in Haumoana for a number of days.

Anyone who has information on Paludet's whereabouts is being urged to contact Hawke's Bay Police on (06) 831 0700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.