Police ‘increasingly more concerned’ as desperate search for missing New West mom continues

NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) — The desperate search for a missing New Westminster woman continues after she disappeared from her home early Monday.

Nirla Sharma left her phone and bank cards behind, and people searching for her, including police, are growing increasingly concerned about her wellbeing.

“As the days go by, we become increasingly more concerned for her safety,” Sergeant Jeff Scott says in a release. “We are very concerned for Mrs. Sharma because she has not shown up for work, and there are no obvious reasons why she left at 4:00 am. She left without telling anyone, and did not take any of her personal belongings, which is out of character for her.”

The search comes as Nirla’s husband is facing two criminal charges designated as domestic violence, according to court records, but police have not said the counts from January are related to her disappearance.

Rishi Deo Sharma has is due back in court March 4.

While her disappearance is being described as “suspicious,” police have also not indicated they suspect foul play.

Vanessa Sharma, the couple’s adult daughter, says she is unwilling to speak about her father and urges people not to make a connection between the recent charges and her mother’s disappearance.

“All I can tell you is this is unrelated. My dad will do anything for my mom. He loves her like there is no tomorrow, he will do anything for her and he misses her. He cannot stop crying. He is looking himself for her. It is unrelated. I would ask that you respect my family and myself and not ask us about him.”

Just yesterday @NEWS1130 told you @NewWestPD‘s Major Crime Unit was involved in the investigation. (Here’s some BG: https://t.co/HTX1low2Uv.) Police continue to plea for dashcam footage from the Lawrence St. and Ewen Ave. area between the hours of 12a and 6a on Monday. https://t.co/DfbCGbgHM0

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) February 28, 2020

Nirla was last seen heading to bed around 9 p.m. Sunday in her home on Lawrence Street, in the Queensborough area.

Coquitlam Search and Rescue were called in to assist police on Thursday.

Nirla Sharma is still missing, and we're asking for your help to locate her. We're concerned for her safety. Here is another picture that may help #newwest Full story here: https://t.co/onCBLvrc3l pic.twitter.com/2HlzsLLM5j

— New Westminster Police Department (@NewWestPD) February 25, 2020

Anyone with information or dash-cam footage from the area of Lawrence Street and Ewen Avenue between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24 is asked to call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411. If you see Nirla, you’re asked to call 9-1-1.