Latest news with #MargaretStoddartRetirementVillage
RNZ News
22-06-2025
- RNZ News
Body found in search of missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth 'Lis' Nicholls
The 79-year old called Elisabeth was last seen on Barlett Street in Riccarton. Photo: Supplied Police have found a body believed to be of Elisabeth Nicholls, who was also known as 'Lis'. The body was found in a property in central Christchurch's Gracefield Avenue area at 1pm Sunday. Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan said formal identification was yet to take place, but believed it was the 79-year-old, who was reported missing from the suburb of Riccarton on 4 June. Nicholls suffered from dementia and disappeared after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village. She had been admitted to the facility for respite care on the same day she disappeared. Canterbury Police - along with Land Search and Rescue volunteers - had scoured areas in the city to locate Elisabeth. The last confirmed sighting of her was at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton at 7.54pm the same day. Vaughan hoped the discovery would help provide some closure for her family and loved ones. He said his thoughts were with them at this incredibly difficult time and thanked everyone who helped in the search for their efforts. In a statement, Nicholls' family said they were very saddened and relieved Lis had been found. They said they were very grateful for everyone's efforts looking for her, particularly the police and so many members of the Christchurch public. The death will be referred to the coroner. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- RNZ News
Fatally injured woman found in Christchurch not missing person Elisabeth Nicholls
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER An injured woman who died in Christchurch is not missing woman Elisabeth 'Lis' Nicholls, police say. The woman was found with critical injuries in a Riccarton car park on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency services were called about 4.40pm. The woman died while being taken to hospital. Police had earlier said a body had been found in the car park. The death is being treated as unexplained and a scene guard is in place at the car park where she was found. Police said speculation in the community that this may be related to missing woman Nicholls is not accurate. Nicholls, 79, suffered from dementia and disappeared after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Riccarton on 4 June. The last confirmed sighting of her was at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton at 7.54pm the same day. She had been admitted to the facility for respite care on the same day that she disappeared. Searchers and police went door to door, reviewed CCTV footage and made extensive enquiries, but were unable to find her. A week later they expressed concerns for her welfare and this week they intended using a drone to help with the search.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- RNZ News
Police have grave concerns for missing 79-year-old Christchurch woman
Police have grave concerns for missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls. The 79-year-old, who suffers from dementia, disappeared after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village on Bartlett Street in Riccarton last Wednesday night. The last confirmed sighting of her was at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton at 7.54pm on Wednesday 4 June. Searchers and police had gone door to door, reviewed CCTV footage and made extensive enquiries, but were not been able to find her. Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, has been missing since 4 June after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Riccarton. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Elisabeth was wearing navy blue jeans, a black and grey checked long-sleeved shirt with a long-sleeved maroon top underneath and black leather shoes and she has distinctive long blond/white hair. She had been admitted to the facility for respite care on the same day that she disappeared. Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge has urged anyone in Riccarton and the wider area to review any CCTV footage and check places where she might have taken refuge. She said Lis's family had requested privacy but her husband of nearly 60 years, Gary Nicholls, provided a statement. He described his wife as "an adored wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague" whose life had been "about helping people, through nursing, Plunket and social work". "We are deeply concerned and have been living with painful uncertainty for a week, but we have been grateful for the love and support that has been shown for Lis," he said. Nicholls expressed gratitude to the police, search and rescue teams, Canterbury University students and Victoria Neighbourhood Association who had helped look for his wife. "You have been working in the cold, the rain, and the darkness to bring Lis home to us, and we are incredibly grateful." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- RNZ News
Police speak about missing 79-year-old Christchurch woman
The 79-year old called Elisabeth was last seen on Barlett Street in Riccarton last night. Photo: Supplied Police are set to reveal more details about the search for missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls. The 79-year-old disappeared after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village on Bartlett Street in Riccarton last Wednesday night. There were unconfirmed reports of her being seen in Mona Vale at around 10am on 5 June. Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, has been missing since 4 June after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Riccarton. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Elisabeth was wearing blue pants, a dark coloured long-sleeve top, black shoes and has distinctive long blond/white hair. She had been admitted to the facility for respite care on the same day that she disappeared. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- RNZ News
Watch live: Police speak about missing 79-year-old Christchurch woman
Police are set to reveal more details about the search for missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls. The 79-year-old disappeared after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village on Bartlett Street in Riccarton last Wednesday night. She had been admitted to the facility for respite care on the same day that she disappeared. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
