Five unanswered questions over disappearance of missing mother

The search for Victoria Taylor has entered its fifth day as police continue to probe her disappearance after vanishing on Monday.

The bride-to-be was last seen last at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, at 9am on September 30, with her belongings later discovered discarded on a riverbank, prompting a huge police search.

Police divers have been scouring a stretch of the River Derwent near the home she shared with fiancé Matthew and their two-year-old daughter. 

The couple had recently returned from their first holiday together in Majorca and her family have said her disappearance is 'out of character'. 

As police grow increasingly concerned for the missing mother's whereabouts, there remain a number of unanswered questions about her disappearance. 

Where was she going? 

Ms Taylor was seen at her home in the market town at 9am on Monday with her husband Matthew and their two-year-old daughter. She was Facetiming siblings.

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Matthew and Victoria then left with their daughter to visit his parents. Victoria then left his parents' house and did not return, her sister Heidi Baker said. 

A local lady saw her crossing the railway crossing near a Lidl store in Welham Road about 11.30 to 12 noon, heading towards the River Derwent.

A woman in a house near the play park saw her coming down the path leading to the river.

She was then seen by locals passing a local children's play park, the Riverside Playground, and walking along a thickly overgrown path next to the river between 11.30am and noon. 

Why did she discard her belongings?

The soft drinks bottles that Victoria bought at the BP garage were found by her family in a clearing along the path next to the River Derwent. 

Further along the path, at an undisclosed location, police found the discarded green camouflage cap she had been wearing on the garage's CCTV footage.

Officers also found her rucksack, a salmon pink Vans brand. The items were found just lying in the open, not hidden.

Why are police searching the river?  

Following the discovery of Victoria's belongings, police have been carrying out extensive searches along the River Derwent. 

Drones have been used in the search while police in kayaks have also been seen on the river. 

An underwater team has also been involved while others officers have reviewed hours of CCTV from around Malton where Victoria was last seen. 

Victoria's friends and family have also been searching the area and have said they will not give up on trying to find her.

One friend said: 'The majority of Malton and several other areas are searching for you. I'm praying and hoping each and every day to hear good news.' 

Why was her social media still 'active'?

Friends of the missing mother-of-one claim her Instagram account was still 'active' after she vanished. 

It's unclear why the 34-year-old's account would have been active on Tuesday, after she was last seen the day before. 

Friends have claimed Ms Taylor's family may have been using her Instagram profile, which led to the account showing as 'active'.

However, the missing bride-to-be's loved ones have not stated this was the case.  

Could she have travelled out of the town? 

There were no signs of Victoria boarding buses or trains at the local train and bus station. 

There has also been no activity on her cash card since buying the soft drinks.

Police have said the focus of their search is being kept within the Malton/Norton area.

Inspector Leanne Anderson from North Yorkshire Police said on Tuesday: 'There are a range of enquiries taking place to try and locate Victoria.

'This is still a missing person enquiry, and the focus of our activity is within the Malton/Norton area.

'Extensive searches will take place today and I would urge members of the public in the Malton / Norton areas to remain vigilant and report sightings or pass information to police immediately.'

Any immediate sightings of Victoria should be reported to police on 999.

Anyone with any information that could help the search, is urged to call 101 and quote reference 12240178710.

North Yorkshire Police have been contacted for an updated statement.