By Canadian Press

Search and rescue to join police looking for woman in New Westminster B.C.

Feb 27, 2020 | 11:52 AM

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — Search and rescue team members say they have been called to take part in a search for a woman missing from her home in New Westminster, east of Vancouver.

The team, from Coquitlam, says in a social media post that members have been asked to assist the New Westminster Police Department in the search for Nirla Sharma.

Police say the 44-year-old was last seen on Sunday as she went to bed and is believed to have left her home Monday when a family member heard the front door chime at about 4 a.m.

New Westminster’s major crime unit is now involved in the case and Sgt. Jeff Scott says anyone with dashcam footage taken in the city’s Queensborough neighbourhood between midnight Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday is urged to speak with police.

Sharma is believed to have been wearing pink pyjamas and a pink T-shirt when she was last seen but police say she may also be wearing a black jacket with a hood and orange Nike shoes. 

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She is described as South Asian, 5-foot-3, with a slim build, short, dark hair and several tattoos, including an OM symbol on her left arm and a crown on her right wrist.

Scott says Sharma did not arrive at work, as usual, Monday morning and he says fears for her safety increase as the days go by.

“We are very concerned for Mrs. Sharma because she has not shown up for work, and there are no obvious reasons why she left at 4:00 am,” Scott says.

“She left without telling anyone, and did not take any of her personal belongings, which is out of character for her.”

Thursday’s search was expected focus on the Queensborough neighbourhood, around Sharma’s home in Lawrence Street and Ewen Avenue area.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020

The Canadian Press