Victoria Taylor: Psychics and mediums blasted for bizarre theories in search for missing mum

Victoria Taylor, from Malton, North Yorkshire, has now been missing for five days and as the investigation continues into her disappearance, amateur sleuths have been blasted for hampering the search

Amateur sleuths have been accused of hampering the search for missing mum Victoria Taylor who was last seen five days ago.

Psychics, mediums and armchair detectives have been blasted for peddling bizarre theories over the 34-year-old’s disappearance.

A Facebook group with 5,500 members set up by locals in a bid to track down Victoria has been plagued with questions demanding to know her mental health background and details of her private life with fiancé Matthew Williams.

A number of psychics and mediums have been blocked after promoting telepathy. Victoria's neighbour Charlotte Cundill, 30, who has known her since school days and has helped to spearhead the search, ordered on the group: “Mediums and psychics not welcome on page. We need facts and facts only right now!”

She added: “Can I please ask that the questions STOP. Questions like ‘where was she last seen’, ‘what was she wearing’, 'does she drive’,...... all of these questions have been answered somewhere along the page. We can't keep answering them as we have to keep up with everything.”

The mother-of-one was last seen at her home in Malton, North Yorks, on Monday morning. The search focused on the nearby River Derwent after some of her belongings were found on a path beside it. Devastated fiance Matthew has pleaded for Victoria to come home.

He said: "Please come home, babe. Come home and be the mum that you know you are and can still be. She loved this bairn so much. She's so amazing and it breaks my heart that she's not here. All she wanted was to give this bairn the best. She's obviously missing her mam and we are all hoping she comes back. She was dedicated to her job, dedicated to us, and we had just returned from a lovely holiday. It's so sad and I just hope she comes back safely.”

Victoria’s sisters Emma and Heidi have 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. The wider local community has also rallied around, and we are eternally grateful for the support that they have given to us, Vixx’s family.

“The police have told us that searches will continue over the weekend for which we are grateful. The water is challenging at the moment due to the recent weather so if people are out searching for Vixx, then please do not put yourself at risk.”

A number of personal possessions belonging to Victoria have been found close to the River Derwent. Following this discovery, our Operation Support Unit and local officers have carried out extensive searches along with support from a police underwater search unit.

Police have used drones to search the area from above, carried out multiple enquiries and reviewed hours of CCTV from around Malton where Victoria was last seen. CCTV footage of the last sighting of Victoria, buying a soft drink at a local BP garage at 11.35am on Monday, has also been released.

Insp Martin Dennison from North Yorkshire Police said: “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 terrain.”