The search for missing mum Victoria Taylor has entered its tenth day with police searching along a stretch of river where her belongings were found.
Victoria Taylor, 34, disappeared from her family home in Malton, North Yorkshire, where she lives with her fiancé and their two-year-old daughter, on Monday, September 30.
She was seen on CCTV purchasing a drink at the local BP garage on Welham Road in Norton at 11.35am and her bank card was last used to buy soft drinks from the shop.
Eighteen minutes later she was seen at Malton Bus Station but it is not believed that she used public transport. The last known sighting of her was at 12.30pm where CCTV footage picked her up walking towards the play park on Riverside Walk.
The focus of the police search remains in the area around the River Derwent where Victoria’s clothes were found.
Issuing a statement this afternoon at the spot where officers are searching, Head of Local Policing, Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey, said: “I want to acknowledge the unimaginable level of distress that Victoria’s family are going through following her disappearance nine days ago.
“Victoria left her home at 9am on Monday, September 30, she was then seen on CCTV at 11.35am at the BP Garage in Norton and at 11.53am at Malton bus station.
Victoria Taylor has been missing for 10 days
North Yorkshire Police handout
Victoria Taylor and her brother Joe
North Yorkshire Police handout
Victoria is seen to be carrying a bag of items which we believe contained the items purchased at the BP garage.
“Additional witness evidence supports the fact that Victoria did not enter the station and we have no reason to believe she has used public transport at that time.
“In the last 24 hours, we’ve also recovered further CCTV footage which shows Victoria walking towards the play park on Riverside Walk at 12.30pm. Various items that belonged to Victoria have been recovered from this location.”
Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey told members of the press that North Yorkshire Police have made every effort to find Victoria and that based on the current information, no indication of any form of third-party involvement has been established.
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Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey giving a statement to the press
North Yorkshire Police handout
Police searching the River Derwent
North Yorkshire Police handout
She added that the force is still treating Victoria’s disappearance as a missing person enquiry and said: “Based on the discovery of Victoria’s belongings so close to the water’s edge, we must accept the significant possibility that Victoria has entered the River Derwent.
“Searches are currently underway above and below the river and officers are using sonar equipment which gives a view below the water surface.
“This search is slow and complex. Additional specialist police officers are using drones to scour the rural areas close to where Victoria’s possessions were found.
“Over the coming days, we will continue our search to find Victoria and ensure we are doing all we can to support the family.
“We have seen a small amount of misinformation and speculation, which is not helpful and is causing unnecessary anguish to Victoria’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
“Victoria’s family have made clear on various social media platforms, following the sharing of inaccurate information, their wish to work only with North Yorkshire Police in our efforts to locate Victoria and they have asked that I take this opportunity to reiterate their position.”
Victoria was seen at 11.53am at Malton bus station
North Yorkshire Police handout
Aside from the police search, a major community effort has been taking place to try to find Victoria, who is also known as Vixx, with posters being put up in the area.
More than 9,500 people have joined a Facebook group dedicated to the search.
Today, Victoria’s friend Charlotte Cundill, who set up the group said: “Day 10, we miss you so much. I think it’s safe to say you have touched a lot of hearts within this town. We will not give up until we find you. You are an inspiration to people and it really does show.
“Please keep handing posters out, please keep searching, please keep hope. Please stay safe.
“Her baby girl needs her mummy and her partner needs her kind heart back home safe and well.”
She was seen on CCTV purchasing a drink at the local BP garage on Welham Road
North Yorkshire Police handout
Victoria works as a nurse at Rivermead Care Home in Malton and in a profile on the care home’s website, she says she has worked in the home for over 10 years.
In a statement issued by police, Victoria’s sisters Emma and Heidi said: “We currently feel sick, distraught and lost following the disappearance of Vixx, but we are trying to focus on the children in the family to maintain a sense of routine at this difficult time.
“We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers who have assisted in the search for Vixx so far. The wider local community has also rallied around, and we are eternally grateful for the support that they have given to us, Vixx’s family.
“The police have told us that searches will continue over the weekend for which we are grateful.
“The water is challenging at the moment due to the recent weather so if people are out searching for Vixx, then please do not put yourself at risk.”
In the last images released of Victoria, she is wearing a black Adidas puffer jacket with stripes down the sides, blue jeans, a camouflage cap and a pink/salmon Vans backpack and carrying an item believed to be a bag.
