Nurse missing for 10 days may have entered river

There is a “significant possibility” that Victoria Taylor, a nurse who went missing 10 days ago, entered a river.

Ms Taylor, 34, left her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, on 30 September. A number of her personal possessions were found close to the River Derwent.

North Yorkshire Police said it had recovered further CCTV footage of her walking towards a play park near the water’s edge.

The force said extensive searches by officers and drones had been carried out, including the use of divers and specialist sonar equipment.

Ms Taylor left her home at 9am on 30 September and was then seen on CCTV at 11.35am at a BP garage in the North area of Malton, where she bought several items.

Giving an update on the search, Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey said Ms Taylor was also sighted at 11.53am at Malton bus station and could be seen “carrying a bag which we believe contains the items she 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 that she used public transport at that time.

“In the last 24 hours we have also recovered further CCTV footage which shows Victoria walking towards the play park on Riverside Walk. This was at 12.30pm. Various items that belonged to Victoria have been recovered from this location.”

Searches ‘taking place above and below the water surface’

Chief Superintendent Willey reiterated there was no indication of any third-party involvement and added: “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 under way, taking place on the river, and those searches have been taking place above and below the water surface.

“The team are using specialist sonar equipment which gives officers a view below the surface. The use of this specialist resource will continue in the coming days.

“Additional specialist police search officers are using drones to scour the rural areas close to where Victoria’s possessions were also found.”

Ms Taylor’s sisters previously said they felt “sick, distraught and lost” following her disappearance.

In a statement, Emma and Heidi thanked people for their support but warned volunteers not to put themselves at risk during riverside searches for Ms Taylor.

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