Twist in case of missing Melbourne woman, 36, as cops seize red Mazda they believe could help solve her disappearance
- Maryam Hamka was last seen on April 10 at a Woolworths store in Melbourne
- The 36-year-old told her family she was going to visit a friend in Brighton
- Her ex-boyfriend was taken into custody and hit with unrelated charges
- Police seized a red Mazda hatchback as they continue the investigation
Police have seized a red Mazda hatchback they believe could solve the mystery disappearance of a woman missing since April.
Maryam Hamka, 36, was last seen leaving a Woolworths supermarket in Brunswick, in Melbourne, about 5.30pm on April 10.
Detectives opted to seize the 2015 Mazda 3 as part of the investigation.
Anyone who may have seen the vehicle, which has damage to the front left guard, between April 13 and April 15 to contact investigators.
Police have seized a Red Mazda as they continue to investigate the disappearance of Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka (pictured)
A man was seen driving the vehicle to and from Brighton several times during those dates, according to 3AW.
The missing woman’s former partner, Toby Loughnane, 45, who lives in Brighton, was arrested for unrelated matters to Ms Hamka’s disappearance.
He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to answer charges of allegedly assaulting Ms Hamka between December 1 in 2020 and April 15.
Loughnane remains in police custody and has not been charged with any crimes relating to Ms Hamka’s disappearance.
On April 10, Ms Hamka told her family she was going to visit a friend in Brighton but she hasn’t been seen since.
Detectives previously scoured her car and home after Ms Hamka was reported missing on April 15.
Ms Hamka was last seen leaving a Melbourne Woolworths store in Brunswick at about 5.30pm on Saturday, April 10
Detectives have seized a Mazda 3, a 2015 model, as part of their ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka (stock image)
Her phone is switched off and Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said serious concerns are held for her safety and her family is distraught, despite their sometimes problematic relationship.
Detective Inspector Stamper told reporters it was not unusual for her to be out of contact with her family for several days – but relatives became increasingly concerned as the days passed after April 10.
They have been unable to reach her, and she has not been active on social media.
‘They have serious concerns, as we do, for her welfare,’ Stamper told reporters in April.
Ms Hamka is 165cm tall, with a thin build and long black hair, brown eyes, and an olive complexion.