Police say time is running out to find missing Gold Coast woman Wendy Sleeman alive after her son was charged with kidnapping.
The search continues for Ms Sleeman, 61, who has been missing from Elanora since Tuesday.
Her son Slade Murdok has been charged with multiple offences after being arrested at Durack in Brisbane's south on Wednesday afternoon.
The 30-year-old appeared in a Brisbane court in a wheelchair today, where he was refused bail.
Mr Murdok's lawyer Rodney Keyte spoke outside court after his appearance.
"Obviously, there is the presumption of innocence – at this stage I do think the case isn't that strong," he said.
"The investigation is ongoing."
Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said police were hopeful Ms Sleeman was still alive, but were "transitioning" from a missing persons to a suspected homicide investigation.
"Every minute counts at this particular time. If she's still alive, she needs help now. It's about her, it's not about anything else, it's about finding her," he said.
He said the search was continuing, as was a forensic investigation.
"We've got to find Wendy before it's too late," he said.
"We rely on the community. Policing is not just about us, it's about the community helping us."
Detective Superintendent Smith said a "key focus" was finding the blue Honda Jazz with the registration 952AT4 last seen in Logan, at the intersection of Paradise Road and Kingston Road on Tuesday at 5:50pm. They believe the car no longer has licence plates.
Speaking at Burleigh Heads on Thursday morning, Detective Superintendent Smith said Mr Murdok was "exercising his right to silence".
Mr Murdok has been charged with unlawful stalking, burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, kidnapping, attempted arson, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Warm-hearted and generous
Ms Sleeman's friend Monica Zwolsman, who met the 61-year-old when they were working at a local language school, said the last time they spoke was last week.
"I did say to her, 'How things are going?' And she said it was a long conversation that needed to be had over coffee," she said.
Ms Zwolsman described Ms Sleeman as a caring and genuine person who loved dogs.
"She's a very quietly spoken persons," she said.
"She's such a warm-hearted and generous person.
"Even when she was going through very tough times, she always had an open heart and a warm hug for anyone who needed comfort.
"She was the first person people would want to go to to tell their problems … she was adored by many of us."
Ms Zwolsman said was devastated by Ms Sleeman's disappearance and was "hoping for a miracle".
