Heartbreaking last post shared by Victoria Taylor shows her cuddling daughter, 2, days before she vanished as body found
VICTORIA Taylor’s heartbreaking last post shows her cuddling her two-year-old daughter days before she vanished.
Ms Taylor, 34, disappeared from her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, on September 30.
Police searching for the missing mother have now found a body in the River Derwent close to where she was last seen.
Just over a week after her disappearance cops said there was a “significant possibility” she had entered the river.
The force recovered CCTV footage of her walking towards a play park near the water’s edge.
A number of her possessions were also found in that area.
Searches have been taking place on the river since Ms Taylor was reported missing on October 1 including the use of divers and specialist sonar equipment.
On Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox of North Yorkshire Police said a body had been recovered at 11.45am by underwater search teams.
Speaking at a press conference at Fulford Police Station in York, Mr Fox said formal identification had not yet taken place but Ms Taylor’s family had been informed and were “understandably distressed”.
He told a press briefing: “The disappearance of Victoria has understandably had a wider impact on the communities of Norton and Malton.
“Victoria’s family and those closest to her have understandably felt enormous amount of heartache since the day she was reported missing.
“They’ve previously acknowledged just how grateful they are to the local community for the overwhelming level of support that they have had as a family.
“Whilst today’s outcome is not what anybody would wish for, Victoria’s family have again asked me to express their thanks to all of those who’ve supported North Yorkshire Police and other emergency services in our efforts to locate Victoria.
“They’ve also asked me to ask for time and space for them as a family to come to terms with the information, the news that they’ve been provided with today.
“And our thoughts remain very much with them at this time.”
He also thanked members of the public who made contact with North Yorkshire Police in response to their appeals for information.
Victoria, who had a fiancé and two-year-old daughter, was captured on CCTV at a BP garage and more footage showed her with a bag of items at Malton Bus Station.
She was last seen on CCTV walking towards a riverside park at 12.30pm where her purchased items were later recovered.
The mum, who is originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was described as a white woman who is approximately 5ft 6ins tall in a police appeal.
She was last spotted wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves and a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper.
Specialist officers used sonar equipment to search for Victoria, known as Vixx to her friends, who had organised daily searches for her.
Victoria’s sister Emma – who created a Facebook group dedicated to the search – wrote a heartbreaking entry in which she told of the family’s “torture”.
She wrote: “Day 22. Another day of hope, this is torture.
“Searching is the only thing that makes us feel like we’re doing something.
“Heidi and I have had a few slips and trips in the mud (after telling you all to be careful).
“There is nothing to write except a massive thanks to everyone out there that is doing something in the search to get our Vixx home.
“We love you sis and we just want you home.”