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New Zealander missing in Amsterdam found

Author
Julia Gabel, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Fri, 29 Apr 2022, 2:18PM
The NZ Police have confirmed that Joanna Ji has been found. (Photo / Supplied)
The NZ Police have confirmed that Joanna Ji has been found. (Photo / Supplied)

New Zealander missing in Amsterdam found

Author
Julia Gabel, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Fri, 29 Apr 2022, 2:18PM

A 25-year-old Korean-New Zealander who had been missing in Amsterdam without her wallet or mobile phone for more than a week has been found.

The family of Joanna Ji had feared she had been harmed or kidnapped and had appealed to the public for information.

She was last seen on April 20 at the Volkshotel in Amsterdam.

The New Zealand Police confirmed today that the 25-year-old had been found.

The family said they were relieved Joanna had been found but had no information about what had happened to her.

Her family said in a post on a Facebook page dedicated to the search that they hadn't been able to speak to her directly and she was with the Dutch police.

A Givealittle page created to support the family during the search, including flights to Amsterdam, accommodation and social media advertising, has been shut down.

The family are still going to fly to Amsterdam on Monday as initially planned to support Joanna.

Joanna Ji's family in New Zealand had not heard from her in more than a week. Photo / Supplied

Joanna Ji's family in New Zealand had not heard from her in more than a week. Photo / Supplied

Any remaining funds would be donated to charity.

A police spokesperson said earlier that police were working with Dutch authorities through Interpol channels during the search for Joanna and were also offering support to her family in New Zealand.

Her sister Maria Ji told the Herald earlier this week that Joanna, a former University of Auckland law student, has been in Amsterdam since December on a working holiday visa.

"Usually she would message my mother every other day, but suddenly she just stopped from last week," Maria said.

"Then her handbag, wallet and mobile phone was found by a member of the public and turned in to the police there, so we know she doesn't have any of those belongings or money on her."

Maria described her sister as a creative, outgoing and bubbly person who was really empathetic and passionate about lots of social issues including human rights, animal rights and gender equality.

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