Missing New West woman Nirla Sharma appeared in video footage from the day she disappeared, but not the footage widely shared by news organizations earlier this week, according to New West police.
“Investigators continue to review a significant amount of video footage, and have released a clip that shows Mrs. Sharma walking alone in the Queensborough Landing business area at 3:27 a.m.,” Sgt. Jeff Scott stated in a press release. “Earlier this week, video footage which was believed to be Mrs. Sharma was shared widely; however, the New Westminster Police Department can confirm that footage was not of Mrs. Sharma.”
Police are asking anyone with dash-cam footage who was driving over the Queensborough Bridge on Feb. 24 between 3:30 and 5 a.m. to contact them.
“As the days go by, we become more and more concerned for her well-being,” Scott stated.
While there is nothing to indicate foul play at this point, according to Scott, he added foul play hasn't been ruled out.
Last Thursday, Coquitlam Search and Rescue began helping with the search for Sharma. The team combed the shoreline and greenspaces in the area, Scott said.
Police are looking for any witnesses who may know what happened to Sharma.
Sharma, 44, was last seen at her residence in the 300 block of Lawrence Street on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m., according to a press release from police.
When last seen in her residence, Sharma was wearing pink pyjamas with a pink T-shirt and had gone to bed. Although Sharma was last seen wearing pyjamas, police say she may be wearing a black jacket with a hood and orange Nike shoes.
Her daughter Vanessa reported hearing the front door chime activate about 4 a.m. on Monday. Sharma typically arrives at work in Burnaby at approximately 6:30 a.m., but she did not arrive at work that morning.
Sharma is a South Asian woman, who is 5’3”, weighs about 138 pounds and has a slim build, the release stated. She has a medium complexion, short black hair and brown eyes.
She has a tattoo of an Om symbol on her left arm, a tattoo of a crown on her right wrist, a rose on her tailbone and a design on her left ankle, according to police.
The New Westminster Police Department’s major crime unit is investigating and trying to locate Sharma.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts or disappearance of Sharma is asked to call the New Westminster Police tip line at 604-529-2430.
