Auckland woman, 28, found dead after going missing during walk

Wednesday, 22 September 2021

Police cordon off the entrance to Ōwairaka/Mt Albert after finding the body of missing woman Lena Harrap.

A young Auckland woman has been found dead after going missing during a walk.

Lena Harrap was last seen about 6am on Wednesday when she left her Mt Albert home.

Police said the 28-year-old failed to return and was reported missing by her family just before 1pm.

Lena Harrap did not return to her Mt Albert home after going for a walk early on Wednesday morning.

“Lena has Down syndrome and is vision impaired, and police and her family are worried about her welfare and want to make sure she is safe,” police said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

Police at Ōwairaka/Mt Albert after the body of Lena Harrap was found.

Police said she often walked around the Jersey Ave, Owairaka Reserve and Harbutt Reserve areas.

On Wednesday evening, Harrap’s body was found on Ōwairaka/Mt Albert, a police spokesperson confirmed.

Police have cordoned off a walkway on the maunga.

“Police are in the process of notifying next of kin, and will be supporting the family through Victim Support,” inspector Jason Homan said.

“The family have requested privacy at this difficult time.”

Police will be making inquiries to determine her cause of death.

A post-mortem examination will be completed on Thursday.

Cordons are in place around the maunga and access through Grande Ave has been blocked.