Missing mum's daughter makes heartbreaking plea as cops say clues found at river

12 December 2023 , 18:15

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Gaynor Lord's daughter Alexandra said 'we want her home' (Image: Norfolk Constabulary / SWNS)

The daughter of a missing mum has spoken out for the first time saying "we want her home" as police scale up the search.

Gaynor Lord hasn't been seen since Friday afternoon and has been reported missing from her home in Norwich. The search for the 55-year-old entered its fourth day on Tuesday as police believe she may have gotten into difficulty in the River Wensum.

Now her daughter Alexandra has made a heartbreaking plea as the family prays for her return home. Taking to Facebook, daughter Alexandra spread the word of Gaynor's disappearance as concerns for her safety grow.

“Please share, if anyone knows anything please do contact the police!" she said. “We want her home!” Gaynor was declared missing on Friday following a sighting at 2.45pm, before her handbag was discovered by a member of the public.

Gaynor failed to come from her job at a department store in Norwich city centre on Friday (ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES)

Her coat was later found floating in the river that evening, while some of her clothing, jewellery and phone were discovered in a nearby park. Norfolk Police detectives said Gaynor failed to return home from work at a city centre department store that evening and declared her a missing person after her ID was discovered in a handbag which turned up.

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They now believe she went missing at least partially clothed. The force said on Tuesday that the "most likely scenario" was that she had entered the water, and that they had sent underwater diving teams in to search for her.

A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: "The force has requested mutual aid for specialist underwater search teams, who should arrive today or tomorrow. Police believe the most likely scenario is that Gaynor has entered the water, and due to the location of where Gaynor’s clothing and possessions were found, this has been an area of focus."

Police have been scouring the river believing she most likely entered the water (Norwich Evening News / SWNS)

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.”

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.

Susie Beever