The heartbroken fiancé of missing mother Victoria Taylor broke his silence today to make a tearful plea for her to return to the daughter she doted on.
Bride-to-be Victoria was last seen on Monday at her home, which she shares with partner Matthew Grant Williams and their two year old daughter, in Malton, North Yorkshire.
Her belongings were later discovered discarded on a riverbank of the River Derwent, prompting a huge police search, with divers scouring the area over the last week.
As the search entered its fifth day, Matthew issued a plea for the ‘dedicated’ mother to come home. Clutching their daughter, Matthew said from their home: ‘I hope she comes back safely.’
Staring lovingly at the child, he continued: ‘Obviously, this one is missing her mam. We are all hoping she comes back.
‘She was dedicated to her job, dedicated to us, and we had just returned from a lovely holiday. It is just sad.’
The fiancé of missing mum Victoria Taylor has posted a poignant picture of them together as he anxiously awaits news on her disappearance
CCTV footage from Monday at 11.35am shows Victoria Taylor, 34, inside a BP garage wearing a camo hat and a blue Adidas coat
He continued: ‘As soon as we reported her missing, knowing her very well we went looking around the area where the police had been.
‘Since then, with the weather and everything, I just want to be here for this one.’
Matthew confirmed he and Victoria were due to wed, but had not set a date, having just returned from their first family holiday in Majorca.
‘I am just heartbroken for this one. I know Vikki wanted this one to have the best opportunities in life – the opportunities she never had.
‘It breaks my heart.’
But cuddling his daughter, he sobbed: ‘We live in hope, don’t we kid. She was such a good mother to this kid and I hope she can be a good mother again.’
Missing chef Claudia Lawrence’s mother Joan Lawrence, who lives just half a mile away, had also heard of the disappearance, which has chilling echoes of her daughter’s case.
She said: ‘I have an awful lot of views but I cannot discuss them over the doorstep – it is too emotional.’
Victoria was last seen at her home in Malton at 9am on Monday prompting a huge search operation
Victoria was due to marry her fiance Matthew, but they had not set a date, having just returned from their first family holiday in Majorca
A missing persons poster for Victoria attached on the railing of a bridge over the River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire
River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire where police water search units have been searching for mother-of-one Victoria
Victoria was was seen at her home in the market town at 9am on Monday with her husband Matthew and their two-year-old daughter. She was Facetiming siblings.
Matthew and Victoria then left with their daughter to visit his parents. Victoria then left his parents’ house and did not return, her sister Heidi Baker said.
She is believed to have been heading towards a community library.
Victoria was caught on CCTV at 11.35am buying a bottle of Dr Pepper and a bottle of water at a nearby Mark and Spencer outlet at the BP garage in Welham Road.
The footage shows the nurse inside wearing a camo hat and a blue Adidas coat.
Police said earlier that she was last seen wearing the Adidas coat, but did not mention the camo hat.
A local lady saw her crossing the railway crossing near a Lidl store in Welham Road about 11.30 to 12 noon, heading towards the River Derwent.
A woman in a house near the play park saw her coming down the path leading to the River.
She was then seen by locals passing a local children’s play park, the Riverside Playground, and walking along a thickly overgrown path next to the river between 11.30am and noon.
Search teams could be seen combing a section of the River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire, for 34-year-old Victoria Taylor
Police officers clambering up a river bank during the search for the missing mother
Drones have been used in the search while police in kayaks have been seen on the River Derwent.
An underwater team have also been involved while others officers have reviewed hours of CCTV from around Malton where Victoria was last seen.
Insp Martin Dennison from North Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are very concerned about Victoria’s whereabouts and, like her family and friends, just want to see her safe and well.
‘I would urge the public to be cautious if looking for Victoria near the river.
A Facebook group called ‘The search for Victoria Taylor’ has been set up and currently has over 3,000 members.
Friends and local residents have said they will not give up on searching for Victoria, who is originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
One friend said: ‘Day four searching for Victoria Taylor. We will not give up on you and your family.
‘The majority of Malton and several other areas are searching for you. I’m praying and hoping each and every day to hear good news.
‘Please everyone, carry on going to the lengths you are to bring my beautiful friend and neighbour home to her gorgeous family.
‘Please go so careful in the process it’s looking like another wet day. Let’s bring her home.’
Another person posted: ‘Victoria worked at the care home where my Mum spent her final years.
‘She was a real professional and I always felt my Mum (who was suffering from dementia) was 100% safe when Victoria was on shift.
‘She is a truly lovely person and I pray she is found safe and well soon. My thoughts are with her family.’
Large numbers of local people have come out to assist with the search
Police have said the public should expect to see an increased presence of officers in Malton as they carry out searches of the River Derwent
Police kayakers on the River Derwent as it weaves through the Malton/Norton area
Police teams hauling kayaks over the mud near the River Derwent
Specialist teams could be seen combing a section of the River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire, after some of her belongings were found on a riverbank.
Police have said the public should expect to see an increased presence of officers in Malton as they carry out searches of the River Derwent.
Inspector Leanne Anderson from North Yorkshire Police said: ‘There are a range of enquiries taking place to try and locate Victoria.
‘This is still a missing person enquiry, and the focus of our activity is within the Malton/Norton area.
‘Extensive searches will take place today and I would urge members of the public in the Malton / Norton areas to remain vigilant and report sightings or pass information to police immediately.’
Any immediate sightings of Victoria should be reported to police on 999.
Anyone with any information that could help the search, is urged to call 101 and quote reference 12240178710.
North Yorkshire Police have been contacted for an updated statement.
