Underwater teams to join search for missing mother - after coat found in river

Underwater teams to join search for missing mother – after coat found in river

Dec 12, 2023

Underwater teams will join the search for a married mother-of-three who went missing in Norwich.

Gaynor Lord, 55, disappeared on Friday after leaving her workplace in Norwich City Centre.

Police said CCTV footage shows Ms Lord walking away from Jarrold department store where she works at 2.45pm – an hour and 15 minutes earlier than she was due to finish her shift – and towards the city’s cathedral.

Her possessions were then found by a member of the public in nearby Wensum Park, who told police at around 8pm, with officers finding ID in Ms Lord’s handbag.

The park has been closed since Saturday, according to Norfolk Constabulary, with extensive searches taking place on the land and in the water.

The coastguard and fire and rescue services have been helping police officers to scour the River Wensum.

Among the possessions found in various locations across the park were clothing, two rings, a mobile phone and glasses belonging to Ms Lord, while her coat was later found in the water.

Police say there is a “real possibility” Ms Lord entered the River Wensum and have made this the focus of their investigation.

Officers have requested help from other police forces and say specialist underwater search teams should join the efforts to find Ms Lord on Tuesday or Wednesday.

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‘Her disappearance is out of character’

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.

“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.”

The superintendent added the National Crime Agency had been helping the police force to call in dive search teams from across the country.

Ms Lord is described as a 5ft 6in tall white woman, who had been wearing a white shirt and yellow tank top, with a coat and scarf over the top, when she was last seen.

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