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On Wednesday, May 24, 1989, the fax machine worded at the Interpol officers in Auckland, the largest city on New Zealand's North Island.

It was a message from the Swedish town of Storforsh. A local couple had failed to return home from their trip to New Zealand and their families had become worried.

23-year-olds Fuan Hoglin, who went by his middle name Erban and his 21-year-old fiance Heidi Pakenen, were due back on May 7, though no one had heard from them for over a month.

Their last correspondence, a letter sent home on April 7, didn't hint that anything was a rye.

Erban and Heidi were looking forward to exploring the expansive and striking Coromandel region along the east coast, which featured steep rolling mountains, pristine beaches, and rugged rainforests.

Airline records confirmed that neither Erban or Heidi boarded their departing flight out of Auckland.

It was completely out of character for them not to be in touch, especially if they changed their plans.

The couple had budgeted just enough for their current travel itinerary, which involved low-cost activities like hiking, fishing and camping.

This suited the outdoorsy and adventurous couple just fine, but ruled out the possibility that they had spontaneously extended their trip.

Throughout New Zealand, Erban and Heidi had pitched their tent in official tourist grounds or on the side of the road.

On the odd occasion, they accepted overnight invitations from friendly locals.

In letters home, Heidi wrote,

If it weren't for all the sandflies and the wasps, New Zealand would be the perfect country. Almost anyway.

Police in Auckland were told to be on the lookout for a barn hog lean and Heidi Pacanon, who were travelling with two large backpacks, a green and yellow tent, sleeping bags and other camping and fishing gear.

Erban was six feet tall with the strong athletic frame and wavy light brown hair.

Heidi had a quintessential Scandinavian look with golden blonde hair and a slender 5 foot 9 frame.

Both had striking blue eyes and wore matching gold engagement bands with one another's names engraved inside.

The search was also on for the couple's car, a white 1976 Subaru station wagon they had bought cheap second hand to get them around the large island.

Erban and Heidi's trail went cold at the coastal township of Tams at the foot of the Coromandel Range where they'd sent their final letter home.

The owner of a general store recalled speaking to a couple who matched Erban and Heidi's description late in the afternoon on Thursday April 6.

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