THE search for missing mum Victoria Taylor is now a “race against time” – with the threat of heavy rain looming.
Mum-of-one Victoria, known to friends as Vixx, was last seen at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, on Monday morning.
The hunt for the care home nurse, 34, has now entered its sixth day as police and locals renew search efforts and pray “for a miracle”.
Some of her belongings were later found near to the River Derwent, which remains the focus of rescue efforts.
But search crews face a race against the clock to find Victoria with rain forecast over the next week.
The fast-flowing river had already swelled to a depth of 2.77m before receding in recent days.
But poor weather due over the coming days will see water levels rise again – hindering search efforts.
A police diver said: “The weather is alright at the moment but it’s going to get worse over the next week.”
Asked if that would make search and rescue efforts more difficult, another searcher replied: “Yes.”
According to residents, Victoria was seen walking towards Norton Hive library on Monday morning.
She was filmed on CCTV wearing a black puffer jacket, jeans and a camouflage cap buying a soft drink in the Marks & Spencer store at a BP garage in Norton at about 11.35am.
On Wednesday, some of her personal possessions were found near the River Derwent in Malton.
Today, marine search and rescue crews were again seen scouring the water using specialist sonar equipment.
Locals were urged not to defy police advice to steer clear of scouring the muddy riverbank and putting themselves at risk.
Some volunteers were seen searching riverside fields with dogs and using wooden sticks to comb through vegetation near the neighbouring village of Low Hutton.
On Facebook, Victoria’s close friend and next door neighbour told how she was “praying for a miracle”.
Pub barmaid Charlotte Cundill, 30, wrote: “We just want you home princess.
“Your baby girl needs you, your fiancé needs you and misses you so much and your family are beside themselves.
“We’re all praying for a miracle, we’re all praying you just walk back through that door.”
Large banners were put up in the town centre alerting visitors to this weekend’s Malton Food Festival to be vigilant.
On Friday, Victoria’s fiance Matthew Williams implored his partner to return home to their daughter Nancy, two.
He told her in a tearful direct message: “Please come home, babe.
“Come home to Nancy and be the mum that you know you are and can still be.”
Victoria is described by North Yorkshire Police as white, around 5ft 2in tall.
She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves,
Victoria also wore a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper and was carrying a salmon-pink Vans backpack.
Inspector Martin Dennison said: “If you do have any information which can help with the search then please call us on 101.”
Dennison added: “Any immediate sightings should be reported to 999.”
Monday (September 30)
9am
Victoria Taylor is last seen at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire.
She is understood to have been going towards the library in Commercial Street.
11.35am
She goes into a BP garage on Welham Road.
Sister Heidi Baker claims she is also seen heading towards the River Derwent at some point.
Tuesday (October 1)
The search efforts for Victoria ramp up, with a police presence in the area she was last seen and a Facebook search group is set up.
Wednesday (October 2)
The search expands to focus on the river after Victoria’s belongings were found on the riverbank.
Drones are spotted at nearby Malton & Norton Golf Club.
Members of the Facebook group arrange to meet at the train station.
Thursday (October 3)
Police release a CCTV image of Victoria at a BP garage at 11.35am on Monday and confirm her belongings were found on the river bank.
Volunteer searchers from the Facebook group arrange to meet outside a pub at 1pm.
The admin of the Facebook page advises searchers not to go near the river, after being warned off by cops.
Friday (October 4)
Victoria’s partner Matthew Williams issues a plea for the “dedicated” mum to come home.
Her sisters then released a statement saying they feel “sick and lost”.
Sunday (October 6)
The search enters its sixth day.
Victoria’s distraught pals have been targeted by vile predators and amateur sleuths trying to cash in on the missing mum.
The armchair detectives have been accused of hampering the search for 34-year-old Victoria.
As police and local volunteers continue their searches for the care home nurse, there was criticism over online sleuths’ meddling.
Locals have set up a Facebook group with 5,500 members in a bid to track down Victoria.
But the group has been plagued with questions on her mental health and life with fiance Matthew Williams.
A number of psychics and mediums have been blocked from the platform after promoting telepathy.
Taylor’s neighbour Charlotte Cundill, 30, has known her since school days and has helped to spearhead the search.
Charlotte told how she had been subjected to “a lot of scams” and people “asking for money”.
Writing in the group, Charlotte said: “Mediums and psychics not welcome on page.
“We need facts and facts only right now! Can I please ask that the questions STOP.
“Questions like ‘Where was she last seen?’, ‘What was she wearing?’ ‘Does she drive?’
“All of these questions have been answered somewhere along the page.
“We can’t keep answering them as we have to keep up with everything.”
Baseless theories that Victoria may have left Malton on a train or bus, or booked herself into a hotel, have also been shot down.
Others have disputed the final CCTV spotting of Victoria, at a BP Garage.
The conspiracists have suggested it does not look like her – a wholly inaccurate claim.
Family friend Laura Moran wrote: “The CCTV footage is her. This has come from family and close friends that know her.
“The coat is black not blue. Its pixelated from being taken from a screen. Try taking a picture of your telly.
“Speculation does not help anyone and if it seems an obvious question then the family have already thought it over and over.”
Pub barmaid Charlotte told supporters on Facebook that she was remaining hopeful.
She said to Victoria: “So, beautiful, we’re onto day six without seeing your beautiful smile.
“Day six of searching, crying, remembering as much as we can in the search to find you.
“There’s nearly 5,500 people following this page to bring you home, which I will forever be grateful for.”
Charlotte added: “Never in a million years did I think I could get it to blow up this far.
“You are so loved, more than you will ever know. I am on it day and night, as are others.
“There’s people out every night in the hope to catch a glimpse of news of your arrival home. We will get you home.”
