Body found in hunt for missing mum Victoria Taylor with family informed

A body has been found in the search for missing mother Victoria Taylor. The 34-year-old was last seen three weeks ago at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire.

Police told earlier how some of her possessions have been found near the River Derwent leading them to consider whether she had entered the water. Now police say they have discovered a body.

Speaking at a press conference, North Yorkshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said the body had been found on Tuesday. Speaking at Fulford Police Station, York, he said the body was found by the police underwater search team at about 11.45am in the River Derwent, “close to where Ms Taylor’s belongings were recovered”.

He said formal identification is yet to take place, but Ms Taylor’s family have been informed of this development, and “understandably, they are distressed by today’s news”.

In a statement issued by North Yorkshire Police they said specialist family liaison officers would continue to support the family. They added: "Victoria who is from Norton near Malton was reported missing on Tuesday 01 October. Since the initial report was received, we have carried out extensive searches to try and locate Victoria.

"The scale of investigation undertaken by North Yorkshire Police has provided us with a detailed understanding of Victoria’s key movements within the time parameters of her disappearance. As part of our strategy, we issued multiple appeals to the public and media for information. We would like to thank the members of the public who responded and assisted us with our enquiries.

"The disappearance of Victoria has understandably had a wider impact on the communities of Malton and Norton. Those closest to Victoria have felt an enormous amount of heartache in the days after she went missing and have acknowledged how grateful they are for the overwhelming support from the community.

"Whilst today’s outcome is not what anyone would have wished for, Victoria’s family have asked us to say that they are devastated and would like some space to be able to process the news, and our thoughts remain with them at this time."

Police launched a hunt for the missing mum after she was reported missing. Officers said she had left her home, which she shared with her fiance and two-year-old daughter, at 9am. She was later seen on CCTV at 11.35am at the BP garage on Welham Road in the Norton area of Malton then recorded at 11.53am at Malton bus station on Railway Street.

Later footage showed her walking towards a play park on Riverside Walk at 12.30pm. However despite a major search there were no further sightings until her body was discovered today.