Disappearance a shock

Press, 20 October 1986, Page 1

Disappearance a shock

The abduction and possible killing of Louisa Damodran, aged six, has sent a wave of horror through the community, in Christchurch and round New Zealand. It is believed to be the first kidnapping of a child in Christchurch, a city which has its fair share of violent crime. As a result, queues of cars waiting outside schools have grown considerably as anxious parents have decided against letting their children walk

home. Many Christchurch residents have taken a personal interest in the case and the police say they have been overwhelmed with the response to appeals for information. The police have put on extra staff to deal with the many telephone calls to the Christchurch Central Police Station. Some have been from people wanting to help search for the child. Staff at the police in-

formation caravan, which is on the old Main North Road near the Waimakariri River, have also been kept busy. Louisa Damodran’s disappearance has also shocked some of Christchurch’s most experienced detectives. Detective Inspector Mai Griebel, who heads the investigation, is a no-non-sense policeman who had handled some tough cases. .. . . He said yesterday that all the police working on

the inquiry .were saddened by the presumed death of Louisa. “There are some very hardened detectives working on this inquiry, but they have been especially moved by the disappearance of little Louisa.” However, the finding of Louisa’s belongings had strengthened the police resolve to catch the person responsible. “I am confident we will get this person. It is good to know the public are behind us,” he said.