Victoria Taylor's fiancé 'devastated' as cruel sleuths target him over her disappearance

Extensive searches have been carried out for Victoria Taylor and drones have been used, as North Yorkshire Police continue to investigate the nurse's disappearance

The fiancé of missing mum Victoria Taylor is said to be "devastated" as the search for her continues into its seventh day.

Matthew Grant Williams has been targeted by cruel trolls who have pointed the finger at him over Vicky's disappearance. She vanished on Monday in Malton, North Yorkshire, where she shares a home with Matthew and their two-year-old daughter.

Friends have revealed Matthew is "absolutely devastated" about the vile slurs and his partner's absence. One said on a public Facebook group designed to help support the search: "It's sad to see people pointing the finger at her partner. It's cruel as he is going through enough already without people doing that." To which, another friend said: "It really is, he's absolutely devastated."

Matthew, who has been engaged to his partner since December 2021, had previously told reporters Vicky just wanted to give her daughter the childhood she never had. Vicky, affectionately known as Vixx, "didn't have the best of upbringings and she wanted to give this child a better one," Matthew had said.

The mum was last seen in the town and, on Thursday, some of her belongings were later found discarded on the banks of the River Derwent there. Divers have scoured the water as part of the major search.

In the Facebook group exchange, the initial friend blasting the trolls goes on to brand the yobs "horrible". She continued: "These people are horrible and have no thought about what he is going through or what he is having to tell their little girl when she asks where her mummy is. I just hope she is safe and well."

More than 7,000 people, including strangers, are in the Facebook group. A search involving some of these strangers had been arranged today but was thrown into jeopardy because of safety concerns, following rain overnight. One local said: "This area was really bad yesterday so not sure it's safe to do today... I'd be worried for people walking this today after the rain." She referenced to the stretch of the river between Malton and the village of Low Hutton, around four miles south.

Speaking as the desperate search for Vicky continues, her siblings, Emma and Heidi, said: "We currently feel sick, distraught and lost." Their grief comes as there have been no confirmed sightings of Vicky, a nurse originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, since she was spotted on CCTV buying a soft drink at a BP garage.

A number of the mum of one's personal possessions have been found close to the River Derwent. Speaking previously, Emma and Heidi had 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."

Charlotte Cundill, a pub barmaid, told supporters on Facebook that she was remaining hopeful. She said to Vicky: "So, beautiful, we're onto day six without seeing your beautiful smile. Day six of searching, crying, remembering as much as we can in the search to find you.

"There's nearly five and half thousand people (this figure has since increased) following this page to bring you home, which I will forever be grateful for. Never in a million years did I think I could get it to blow up this far. You are so loved, more than you will ever know. I am on it day and night, as are others. There's people out every night in the hope to catch a glimpse of news of your arrival home. We will get you home."

The missing woman has been described as white, approximately 5ft 6 inches, and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper and she was carrying a salmon/pink Vans backpack.

Inspector Martin Dennison, of North Yorkshire Constabulary, said on Thursday: "We are very concerned about Victoria's whereabouts and, like her family and friends, just want to see her safe and well.

"I would urge the public to be cautious if looking for Victoria near the river. Our officers have specialist training and equipment, and they are used to working in various terrains.

"If you do have any information which can help with the search then please call us 101. Any immediate sightings should be reported to 999."