Body found in Gaynor Lord search confirmed to be missing mum-of-three by police
Police have confirmed that the body found in the search for Gaynor Lord is the missing mum-of-three.
The 55-year-old was last seen after she left work early, at Jarrolds department store in Norwich city centre, at 2.45pm on Friday 8 December. Some of her belongings, including clothing, jewellery and a mobile phone, were later found in Wensum Park - around 1.5 miles from where she worked.
Her coat was also discovered in the River Wensum, where police eventually pulled her body from. On Friday 15 December, a body was found during Norfolk Police's search for the mum. Police didn't initially confirm it was the mum, after they were seen pulling a large object in a black bag from the river in East Anglia, but stressed there was no evidence of third party involvement.
Ms Lord was formally identified yesterday, subject to formal inquest proceedings taking place. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her mysterious disappearance and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
Mum-of-three Gaynor Lord (PA)
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley speaking to the media in Wensum Park, as specialist divers found a body in the River Wensum (PA)They had been carrying out checks at a specific part of the river, with an orange buoy placed on the spot earlier that morning, where divers later recovered the body. Speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, 15 December, Chief superintendent Dave Buckley confirmed the body found was a woman's and stressed there is no evidence of third party involvement.
Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'
Police had been interested in finding out exactly what took place in the 34 minutes from when Ms Lord was seen entering and leaving Norwich Cathedral. They released a clip of CCTV showing the mum leaving work and seemingly in a hurry as she crossed the road, in some of her last known movements.
Police search teams pull a black bag from the River Wensum (PA)Officers previously said that there was a "high probability" that the mum went into the River Wensum. Norfolk Police previously said that they were not able to establish Ms Lord’s state of mind when she went missing.
After locating her body, Chief superintendent Dave Buckley said: “We remain open-minded to the circumstances of Gaynor’s disappearance, and we’ll continue to pursue all lines of inquiry to ascertain why she went missing. I’m keen to say this remains a missing person inquiry at this stage.
Last known movements of Gaynor Lord in Norwich (Press Association Images)“I am also satisfied at the moment, based on the evidence that we have, that Gaynor did not meet anyone on the way to the park, and we now have a better understanding of her movements through the city centre. I would reiterate at this stage that there is no evidence of third party involvement. Nothing in our inquiries have changed this position.”
Floral tributes to Ms Lord were laid near the gates of Wensum Park after the discovery. One of them said: "Gaynor may you be at peace. God bless your family."
Mr Buckley said specialist family liaison officers were supporting Ms Lord’s family, and a post-mortem examination would need to be completed to establish the cause of death. He added that ongoing investigations were "predominantly focused on the river and the park".
Police previously confirmed they consulted officers from Lancashire Constabulary who worked on the search for Nicola Bulley.
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