14 December 2023 , 11:35
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The mysterious disappearance of a mum of three - feared to be in a river - has been described as "proper out-of-character" by her stepbrother.
Gaynor Lord, 55, vanished at 2.45pm on Friday, having left work at a department store in Norwich city centre. Her clothes, rings and mobile phone were found that evening in Norwich’s Wensum Park.
Police have centred their search in the park, which has been closed to the public for several days, were a member of the public reported seeing a woman who matched Gaynor's description on Friday. Now, Gaynor's stepbrother has made a desperate appeal for information. 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.
Gaynor Lord, 55, who was last seen on December 8 (PA)Speaking from his home in Blackpool, Lancashire, Allan Weston said: "We just hope she comes back safe. If anyone does know anything please come forward. It's been a few days now since she went missing so we are very worried. This is proper out of character. She has never gone missing or anything like that before."
Another family member, who asked not to be named, urged people not to speculate about the disappearance. They told MailOnline: "There's been lots of things being said, like 'Has she run away with anybody?' and things like that. "It's not very helpful. It's hard enough as it is."
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Norfolk Constabulary found Gaynor's ID inside her handbag in the park. Her white work shirt, yellow tank top, and jewellery were found spread out at different sites across the city centre park, while her olive-coloured coat was found in River Wensum, which runs through the park.
A huge police search is underway for the missing mum after her belongings were found near the river (Newsquest / SWNS)Detectives searching for Gaynor have requested help from the cops who led the Nicola Bulley case. Norwich Supt Wes Hornigold told The Sun Ms Lord's disappearance had chilling echoes of the hunt for Ms Bulley, who also vanished next to a river in January. He said his force was “linking in with” Lancashire detectives to “understand any of the lessons learned” from the search for mum-of-two Ms Bulley, 45.
Gaynor, from Riverside, Norwich, was seen beaming as she left work at a gin concession at Jarrolds department store early at 2.44pm on Friday. She was then filmed rushing - breaking into a run - through Norwich city centre, in the opposite direction to her home, before entering the cathedral area at 2.44pm. Detectives now believe she may have met with someone at the cathedral who could unlock the mystery of her disappearance.
Timeline of Gaynor’s movements before going missing on Friday 8 December, 2023:
- 2.44pm – Gaynor is working at the Bullards Gin counter in the basement at Jarrold department store – her clothing is clearly visible
- 2.45-2.46pm – She leaves the store via the loading bay on Bedford Street
- 2.47pm – Walks onto London Street past the Cosy Club
- 2.48pm – Gaynor makes her way onto Queens Street and walks toward the Cathedral
- 3.22pm – Gaynor is seen on The Close at the cathedral entrance – shortly before exiting through the archway she puts her coat on
- 3.23pm – She is seen to walk away from the cathedral on Queens Street – here you can see a clear image of the coat she was wearing
- 3.49pm – This is the last sighting of Gaynor on CCTV near the Playhouse on St George’s Street
- 3.53pm – Walks along St Crispins Road towards Pitt Street
- 4.01pm – Gaynor walks up St Augustines Street – her final movements captured in CCTV before going missing/
Anyone with information or who knows of her whereabouts should contact Norfolk Police on 101 quoting incident number 427 of 8 December 2023.