Body found in search for missing Victoria Taylor

A body has been recovered in the search for missing mother Victoria Taylor, North Yorkshire Police has confirmed.

Ms Taylor, 34, disappeared from her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, on September 30. Searches had been taking place on the River Derwent since she was reported missing the following day.

On Tuesday, nearly three weeks after she disappeared, Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox of North Yorkshire Police said a body had been recovered from the water at 11.45am by underwater search teams, close to the area where Ms Taylor’s possessions were found.

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Speaking at a press conference at Fulford Police Station in York, Mr Fox said formal identification had not yet taken place but Ms Taylor’s family had been informed and were “understandably distressed”.

Just over a week after her disappearance police had said there was a “significant possibility” she had entered the river after recovering CCTV footage of her walking towards a play park near the water’s edge. A number of her possessions were also found in that area.

Last week, Ms Taylor's family said they "continue to have hope" as searches entered a third week. On Tuesday, October 15, her sisters Emma and Heidi said: "There are no words for us to describe how we are feeling as it’s ever-changing. We have to have some sort of normality for the children. As we know, Vixx is a mum but also an auntie and Halloween is one of her favourite seasons as she is the costume queen."

In a statement released via North Yorkshire Police, the sisters said: "The local community is amazing, from putting up posters to the daily walks to search for Vixx. We would like to thank the special people, you know who you are.

"The wider community on the Facebook page with over 10,000 people sharing Vixx’s information and sending support has given us comfort. We continue to have hope, as it is all we have at this time."

Officers said Ms Taylor left her home at 9am on September 30, and was then seen on CCTV at 11.35am at the BP garage on Welham Road in the Norton area of Malton, where she purchased several items. A further sighting was captured at 11.53am at Malton bus station on Railway Street. Further CCTV footage showed Ms Taylor walking towards the play park on Riverside Walk at 12.30pm.