Family and friends of Florence Leung are appealing to the public after uncovering surveillance footage of the missing mother in a West End convenience store the night of her disappearance.
The footage, recovered from the City Park Express store on the 700 block of Denman Street, shows Leung purchasing Gatorade and a banana with cash on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at around 6:15 p.m.
“It does give us hope,” said Leung’s husband Kim Chen, who held back tears as he talked about seeing the footage for the first time.
“I wish I was there to hold her,” he said.
Leung, 32, was last seen Tuesday morning at her home in New Westminster at approximately 9:45 a.m. A new mother, she is said to be suffering from postpartum depression and is considered a high-risk missing person.
Her car, a white Audi Q5, was found Wednesday inside Stanley Park. Family members involved with the search say the banana and Gatorade were found in the car, which helps to solidify Leung’s timeline from Tuesday.
The owner of the convenience store, Park Lee, says she didn’t notice anything strange or unusual when Leung was in her store.
Search parties have now expanded their search areas to the West End, and are asking other businesses to review their own security footage for sightings of Leung, and to keep their eyes open. They are also asking West End residents and tourists in the area that day to check apartment security footage and car dashcams.
Anyone who sees Leung is asked to contact police immediately.
“She may look scared, she may look restless, she may not want to ask for help,” said Chen. “So please keep her in your sight, and call 911.”
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Police along with North Shore Search and Rescue searched Stanley Park until Thursday afternoon when they called off the search, unable to find any trace of Leung. New Westminster police say there is no evidence of foul play.
Chen just wants his wife back home, urging her to consider their son, who was born just two months ago.
“Florence, I love you,” he said. “I always love you. I’m not mad at you. Please come back to my arms. Aiden is smiling so much now. He’s getting bigger and stronger.
“Please come back, and let’s realize our dreams.”
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