Hunt for missing mum as cops probe last sighting and phone found near river

12 December 2023 , 15:16

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Gaynor Lord, 55, was last seen heading towards the cathedral in the centre of Norwich on Friday afternoon (Image: Norfolk Constabulary / SWNS)

A massive police search is underway for a missing mum after her jewellery and phone were discovered near the banks of a river.

Gaynor Lord, 55, was last seen heading towards the cathedral in the centre of Norwich, Norfolk, at 2.35pm on Friday December 8 before she disappeared. Later the same day, a member of the public discovered her belongings in the city’s Wensum Park.

Norwich Constabulary declared her missing on Friday after identifying the items as Gaynor's, and it was reported that she had failed to return home from work that evening. Police divers, assisted by fire crews and the coastguard, scoured the nearby River Wensum on Monday, using sonar equipment to examine the water.

Police searched a river and a park in Norwich on Monday now (Norwich Evening News / SWNS)

Gaynor’s clothing, two rings, her mobile phone and glasses were found in the park in various locations. Her coat was found in the water. The force has requested mutual aid for specialist underwater search teams, who should arrive today or tomorrow.

Officers have also used drones and foot searches to search for further clues. Gaynor is described as white, 5 ft 6 tall, and was wearing a white shirt and yellow tank top with a large olive-coloured coat over the top and a scarf. She has blonde shoulder length hair in a bob, police said.

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A spokesperson for the force said on Monday night that the park would remain closed as they hunt for further information about Gaynor's whereabouts. Norwich Policing Commander, Superintendent Wes Hornigold, said: “Gaynor left work early and didn’t take her normal route home.

"We haven’t been able to establish why she left early and her disappearance is out of character so we are naturally concerned for her welfare. There’s no evidence that Gaynor has come to harm and while we have a number of enquiries ongoing, given where her clothing was found and other items, there is a real possibility she has entered the water.

“We’ve been liaising with the National Crime Agency (NCA) who have given advice around specialist underwater dive teams and we’re seeking assistance from forces with this capability. We hope resources will be on the ground later today or tomorrow. This is clearly a distressing time for her family. We have specialist officers supporting them and continue to keep them updated of our ongoing work.”

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas