Tragic final footsteps of mum Victoria Taylor as body found 22 days after she vanished – including last sighting & CCTV
THE tragic final footsteps of Victoria Taylor can be revealed as a body has been discovered 22 days after she vanished.
The mum-of-one, 34, was last seen leaving her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, at around 9am on September 30.
The bride-to-be is understood to have set off towards the library in Commercial Street at 9am but then went missing.
A body has now been discovered after her belongings were found on a riverbank near the River Derwent.
Police previously released a photograph of Victoria at a BP garage – around half a mile from Norton Hive Library & Community Hub – on September 30.
The nurse, who is mum to a two-year-old daughter, was pictured on the cameras there at 11.35am wearing a black puffer jacket, camouflage print hat and blue jeans.
After leaving the petrol station, Victoria’s sister Heidi Baker claimed the mum was seen heading towards the River Derwent.
Victoria was spotted on camera as she passed Malton bus station and a children’s play park at 11.53am.
Her last sighting was at 12.30pm as she walked towards the play park before heading to a path along the water.
Police previously confirmed they were keeping an open mind but there was nothing to suggest any third party involvement.
By October 1, cops launched more search efforts for Victoria.
A police presence was maintained in the area she was last seen and a Facebook search group was set up to help with investigations.
The search narrowed in on the River Derwent on October 2 after Victoria’s belongings were found on the riverbank.
Drones were also spotted at nearby Malton & Norton Golf Club.
Members of the Facebook group then arranged to meet at the train station and search as volunteers.
Officers today revealed a body was found by underwater search teams at around 11.45am close to where her possessions were found.
Formal identification has not yet taken place but Victoria’s “distressed” family have been told about the tragic development.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said: “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.”