SA:Fears held for missing SA woman

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2011
SA:Fears held for missing SA woman

Eds: Reissues correcting spelling of missing woman's surname, on revised police information,
in both keyword and copy.



By Tim Dornin

ADELAIDE, April 27 AAP - Police say they can't rule out foul play in the disappearance
of a 58-year-old woman from the small town of Kapunda, north of Adelaide.

Rhonda Firla, a well-known local primary school teacher, was last seen walking in the
town's main street almost a week ago.

She disappeared without taking her wallet or credit cards with her, but her mobile
phone is missing.

Detective Sergeant Simon Carpenter said Ms Firla's disappearance was out of character.

"We have some grave concerns for her safety," he said.

"We have no idea where she is. We've conducted several searches, but as yet we haven't
been able to locate her."

Sgt Carpenter said Ms Firla was involved in a minor disagreement with her husband the
day before she went missing, but that was not an issue of great concern.

"We can't rule out foul play, but we have a number of options on the table that we're
looking at," he said.

The woman's eldest son Karl recently returned from Sydney to help search for his mother,
while his younger siblings, Anna and Mark, have flown in from their homes in Munich, Germany.

Karl urged his mother to contact the family or police if she needed help.

"Mum, we're all very concerned. We'd like to know if you're okay," he said.

"We've all come home and all we would like is for you to let us know that everything is okay.

"We all love you and we miss you very much."

The woman's disappearance follows the triple murder in Kapunda of Andrew and Rose Rowe
and their 16-year-old daughter Chantelle in November last year.

Jason Alexander Downie has been charged with three counts of murder and is being held in custody.

AAP tjd/jl/cdh

KEYWORD: FIRLA (REISSUING) (CHANGES KEYWORD)

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