Police Step Up Search for Mother of 3 Allison Baden-Clay, Missing in Brookfield

 

MAJOR CONCERN: Police have set up a command centre at Brookfield Showgrounds as SES volunteers mount a search for Allison Baden-Clay (pictured with husband Gerard). Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

by: Kris Crane | From: The Courier-Mail | April 23, 2012

POLICE stepped up the search for Brookfield mother Allison Baden-Clay after confirming that her disappearance was being treated as a crime investigation. 

They confirmed that Gerard Baden-Clay, the husband of the missing woman and the father of her three girls, was a person of interest in the investigation along with a number of people close to the couple.

Ms Baden-Clay was last seen at her residence at Brookfield, west of Brisbane, on Thursday night.

Her car remained on the property yesterday.

A neighbour whose property backs on to the Baden-Clays’ residence said Ms Baden-Clay was a loving mother.

“Allison took the girls to church music group when they were younger,” she said.

“She was such a happy person and, above all, loved her girls.

“They are such good, quiet neighbours, and the girls are so gorgeous and well behaved.

Police are scouring a property in the leafy enclave of Brookfield in Brisbane’s west, searching for clues to the disappearance of a mother of three.

Residents in the leafy enclave of Brookfield have been urged to join the  massive hunt for the wife of a prominent Brisbane real estate agent.

“From what I had to do with her, I could tell she was a devoted mother.”

The Brookfield resident said a fellow neighbour told her of their dog barking in the yard, which shares a fence with the Baden-Clays.

Prayers for the missing woman and her family were said at yesterday morning’s service at Holy Spirit Brookfield, which is only metres from the Baden-Clays’ home.

Detectives spoke yesterday to a number of people they believed might be able to help with the investigation. The interviews were conducted at Indooroopilly Police Station.

Detective Inspector Mal Gundry said police were continuing to put all the necessary resources into finding Ms Baden-Clay.

Insp Gundry confirmed that when Ms Baden-Clay was declared missing, her car was still on the family property.

“No stone will be left unturned in this search,” he said.

“In the last 72 hours we have undertaken extensive helicopter and ground searches.

“We are asking locals in the Brookfield area to search their own properties and notify police or Crime Stoppers if they find anything that may have been disturbed.”

Insp Gundry refused to comment on the suggestion of a disturbance at the home on the night of Ms Baden-Clay’s disappearance.