Missing Person Squad detectives are appealing for public assistance to help track the movements of a red Mazda 3 as part of their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka in April this year.
The vehicle, which has been seized by police, is described as a red 2015 Mazda 3 hatchback with distinctive damage to the front left guard.
Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the car between Tuesday, 13 April through to Thursday, 15 April 2021.
Investigators believe that during this period, the vehicle made a number of trips to and from the Brighton area. Investigators are keen to speak to anyone both in metropolitan Melbourne or across the state who may have seen the car being driven about.
Investigators believe the vehicle was being driven by a sole male occupant during this time.
Maryam was last seen leaving a Woolworths store in Albert Street, Brunswick at 5.30pm on Saturday 10 April.
She is described as being 165cm tall, with a thin build and long black hair, brown eyes and an olive complexion.
The 36-year-old was last seen wearing a black dress and had told family she was intending to visit a friend in Brighton.
Maryam was reported missing to police on the Thursday 15 April.
Police arrested a 45-year-old Brighton man on 16 April following a search warrant at a Brighton residence.
He was charged with matters unrelated to Maryam's disappearance and is currently remanded in custody.
Investigators have again released images of Maryam in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information on her whereabouts.
The CCTV image depicts Maryam at Woolworths on the day she was last seen.
Detectives are also releasing an image of a vehicle similar to the red Mazda 3 they are tracing.
Detectives are appealing to anyone with information about the vehicle or regarding Maryam's whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper, officer in charge Missing Persons Squad:
"I understand that this is a fairly common car, but I'm hopeful there will be people who remember seeing one with this type of front damage or one very distinctly being driven by a male driver with no passengers.
"At this stage we're not able to limit too much the areas the car has travelled to, so we're appealing to the general public to check their CCTV and dash cam footage for a vehicle matching this description.
"We do know the car has left a residence in Brighton, so this really marks our starting point.
"Sadly, we are yet to locate Maryam but we are hopeful that any information regarding the movements of the red Mazda 3 will help progress the investigation."
