Sam Newton-Jones has been reported missing from West Auckland. Photo \/ NZ Police<\/p>\n
His family said Newton-Jones, a doctoral psychology student, had experienced mental health challenges in the past but had recently spoken optimistically about the year ahead.<\/p>\n
Newton-Jones, who was born in Dunedin, trained as an engineer before changing careers in his mid-20s to pursue psychology. <\/p>\n
He is in the final stages of completing his PhD and is passionate about helping children and young adults overcome adversity. <\/p>\n
Police are hoping to hear from anyone who spotted Newton-Jones on the Mercer Bay Loop Track or around Piha yesterday afternoon or evening. <\/p>\n
He had also visited the walking track on Monday, October 19, and anyone who saw him that day is encouraged to come forward. <\/p>\n
Newton-Jones is about 185cm tall, wears glasses and was last seen wearing a white shirt, black pants and black sneakers. <\/p>\n
His family have asked Piha residents to keep an eye out for him. <\/p>\n
The Mercer Bay Loop Track is about 50km west of Auckland city centre.<\/p>\n
The 2.2km loop track takes about an hour to complete, with some steep sections and exposed cliff edges. <\/p>\n
The area has been linked to several mysterious disappearances over the years<\/a>, including two women who vanished after visiting the same walking track. <\/p>\n In December 2012, Cherie Vousden, 42, was last seen walking the Mercer Bay Loop Track. Her car was found near the entrance, but despite extensive searches<\/a>, she was never found. <\/p>\n Five years later, Middlemore Hospital nurse Kim Bambus, 21, disappeared after heading to the track for a run<\/a>. Her vehicle was discovered in the same carpark, but searches failed to locate her. <\/p>\n A coroner later concluded Vousden had most likely fallen from the cliffs and been swept out to sea, while Bambus\u2019s death was ruled a suicide. <\/p>\n French exchange student Eloi Rolland, 18, also vanished in the Piha area in March 2020<\/a>. <\/p>\n He was last seen on CCTV at Fruitvale Train Station in New Lynn, with cellphone data later placing him near Piha Rd. <\/p>\n Despite extensive inquiries, no trace of him has been found.<\/p>\n