Victoria Taylor: Friend slams sleuths for 'speculation' over missing mum and begs 'be kind'

Victoria Taylor, affectionately known as Vixx to friends and family, was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, and a grey jumper

A close friend of missing mum Victoria Taylor has begged internet sleuths to stop "speculating" about the disappearance.

Laura Moran has also asked people to "be kind" as the search for the 34-year-old nurse continues in and around Malton, North Yorkshire. She used a Facebook group, which has around 7,000 members - many of them strangers - to share her message and ensure people don't gossip about Vicky, affectionately known as Vixx.

The mum of one was last seen on Monday in Malton wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, and a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper. She was later captured on CCTV at a BP garage in the town, where she bought a soft drink.

In a desperate plea, Laura wrote: "The family have requested we share some facts related to Vixx disappearance. Before asking questions, please check this post to see if the answers are there and please try to avoid sharing any speculation.

"We all want the same thing here, to find Vixx and get her home! Thank you everyone for everything you have done so far and continue to do, it's appreciated beyond words.

"Speculation does not help anyone and if it seems an obvious question then the family have already thought it and the family has though it over and over... Remember BE KIND."

The post goes on to state what Vicky was wearing at the time she vanished, confirmation the CCTV taken at the petrol garage was of the woman, confirmation she hasn't used a train or a bus, reassurance police will use drones as part of the operation and a reminder searches of the River Derwent will take several days.

But a search planned along the riverbank of the Derwent was today thrown into jeopardy because further rainfall overnight has left conditions hazardous. Strangers had gathered in Malton preparing to scour the areas around the river, only to be made aware of the severe concerns for their safety.

Internet sleuths threatened to derail a frenzied three-week search for Nicola Bulley, who vanished in similar circumstances in January 2023 in Lancashire. Her case re-emerged in the spotlight this week as a BBC documentary aired, exploring the police investigation and massive public attention.

Vicky, who is heavily involved in charity work and had recently jumped out of a plane for Dementia UK, has been described as white, approximately 5ft 6 inches. The disappearance of the nurse, originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has left her sisters "sick, distraught and lost". They made a desperate appeal for their sibling to come home.

Inspector Martin Dennison, of North Yorkshire Police, said on Thursday: "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 terrains.

"If you do have any information which can help with the search then please call us 101. Any immediate sightings should be reported to 999."