Search for missing mum Victoria Taylor intensifies as volunteers urge against speculation
The search for missing mum Victoria Taylor, 34, continues after a number of her personal possessions were found close to a river in Malton, North Yorkshire
by Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas · ChronicleLiveThe search for Victoria Taylor, a missing mother from Malton, has taken on an emotional tone as volunteers implore the public to refrain from spreading unfounded 'theories and speculation' about her current situation.
Victoria Taylor, aged 34, has been missing for since she vanished from her residence in Malton, North Yorkshire, on the morning of Monday, September 30. Notably, several personal belongings of Ms Taylor have been discovered near the River Derwent within the local area.
It is understood she left her home at 9am on the day she went missing, and was later captured on CCTV at 11.35am at the BP petrol station located on Welham Road in Norton, a district of Malton, at which point she made multiple purchases. Authorities indicated, as of Wednesday, that there's a 'significant possibility' she might have gone into the river.
A key coordinator of the volunteer-driven Facebook group dedicated to the search for Vicky has now appealed to netizens, emphasising the need to avoid circulating deleterious gossip and instead to concentrate on aiding the search endeavours.
Emma Marie penned on Facebook: "This is not a show, it's real life and us as her family and friends are putting our faith in the police and know they're giving it their all. This is about finding Vixx. No theories or speculations as let's face it we all know how that ends up.", reports the Mirror.
The passionate plea concluded with gratitude: "Thank you to you all for your continued support, it's massively appreciated at the most hardest time of all our lives."
Emma Marie had previously raised the alarm after a Facebook user posted 'sickening' false claims suggesting that Vicky had been found and an official police statement was forthcoming. She promptly informed Vicky's family as numerous individuals in the group believed the misinformation - however, it proved to be untrue, leading to the individual responsible being barred from the page.
Earlier in the week, North Yorkshire Police issued a caution to the public against rampant speculation on social media regarding Vicky's location, highlighting the "unnecessary anguish" such actions were causing her family. Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey expressed how Ms Taylor's disappearance has deeply affected the local community and mentioned that the family finds solace in the extensive support received from both local residents and those further afield.
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She remarked: "We have seen a small amount of misinformation and speculation, which is not helpful and is causing unnecessary anguish to Victoria's family at this time. Victoria's family have made it clear following the sharing of this inaccurate information that their wish is to work only with North Yorkshire Police."
Chief Superintendent Willey provided the latest details on the case, revealing that newly obtained CCTV footage captured Ms Taylor walking towards a play area close to the River Derwent and that her personal items were discovered in that vicinity. Willey explained: "Victoria is seen to be 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."
Willey further disclosed: "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."
He added that there was currently no evidence to suggest someone else was involved.