Body found in search for missing woman Victoria Taylor
Authorities have discovered a body thought to belong to Victoria Taylor during the search for the 34-year-old woman who vanished from her North Yorkshire residence three weeks back.
Authorities looking for the missing woman, identified as Vixx, have indicated that there is a "substantial chance" she may have fallen into the River Derwent, which flows through her hometown of Malton.
On Tuesday, Taylor's family received the news that a woman's body had been discovered in the river near the location where she went missing on September 30.
As part of a thorough police effort to locate the missing woman, video from a security camera showing her heading to a playground by the water's edge was shared. This operation included the deployment of divers and advanced sonar technology.
On Tuesday, Wayne Fox, an assistant chief constable with North Yorkshire police, announced that a body was discovered at 11:45 AM by underwater search teams, near the spot where Taylor's belongings had been located.
During a press conference held at the Fulford police station in York, Fox mentioned that formal identification had not been completed yet, but Taylor’s family had been notified and were understandably upset. He also noted that Victoria’s disappearance has understandably affected the broader communities of Malton and Norton.
In the days following Victoria's disappearance, her loved ones have experienced tremendous sorrow and have expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community.
"Although today's result is not what anyone hoped for, Victoria's family has expressed their deep sadness and requested some time alone to come to terms with the news. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult period."
Authorities had earlier reported that Taylor departed from her residence at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 30. She was later captured on security cameras at 11:35 a.m. at the BP station located on Welham Road in the Norton neighborhood of Malton, where she made a few purchases.
Another sighting was recorded at 11:53 AM at the Malton bus station located on Railway Street. Additional CCTV footage revealed Taylor heading in the direction of the playground on Riverside Walk around 12:30 PM.
In a statement issued last Tuesday, marking two weeks since Taylor was last seen, her sisters Emma and Heidi expressed, “It’s hard to find the right words to capture our feelings, as they continue to evolve.”
“We need to create a sense of normalcy for the kids. As we know, Vixx is not only a mother but also an aunt, and Halloween is one of her favorite times of the year because she loves dressing up.”
In a message shared by North Yorkshire police, the sisters expressed their gratitude, saying, "The community has been incredible—everyone from those putting up posters to those taking daily walks to help find Vixx. We want to thank the wonderful individuals who have supported us; you know who you are."
"The larger community on the Facebook page, which has more than 10,000 members sharing updates about Vixx and offering their support, has been a source of comfort for us."
