News / Crime
Search continues for missing Brunswick woman
Maryam Hamka was last seen at the Albert Street Woolworths on April 10
Staff reporter
Sunday, April 18, 2021
Police have arrested and are questioning the former partner of a Brunswick woman who has been missing for more than a week.
Grave concerns are held for the welfare of 36-year-old Maryam Hamka of Barkly Street who was last seen in Brunswick on Saturday, April 10.
A 45-year-old Brighton man is assisting police with their inquiries following the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Welsh Street on Friday night.
On Saturday night he was charged on unrelated matters and remanded until April 30 when he will appear in court on unrelated matters.
Ms Hamka, who is described as 165cm tall, with a thin build and long black hair, brown eyes and an olive complexion, was last seen leaving the Albert Street Woolworths at 5.25pm on Saturday, April 10.
Police have released an image from one of the store’s CCTV cameras of Ms Hamka that day.
She was last seen wearing a black dress and told family that she was going to visit a friend in Brighton. She was picked up by an unknown driver and made a small purchase at Woolworths on Saturday afternoon.
She was reported missing by her family at Brunswick Police Station on Thursday.
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Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said police had significant concerns about Ms Hamka’s welfare.
He said her phone, social media and bank accounts have not been used since last weekend which is highly unusual, although she often spent periods of several days away from her family.
“Her family are distraught. They have serious concerns for her welfare as we do.”
Detective Inspector Stamper said Ms Hamka was known to residents of Welsh Street in Brighton and he appealed for anyone in that area who heard or saw anything suspicious last weekend to come forward.
At a media conference on Saturday he confirmed the man who had been arrested in Brighton was a former partner of Ms Hamka.
He said investigators were also reviewing CCTV footage from the Woolworths store.
Anyone with information regarding Ms Hamka’s whereabouts should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au