Victoria Taylor's friend shares heartbreaking message as search for missing mother search enters third week

15 October 2024, 15:12

Victoria Taylor posing in photo shared to Facebook group set up to coordinate search efforts
Victoria Taylor posing in photo shared to Facebook group set up to coordinate search efforts. Picture: Facebook

By James Spry

The search for the missing Victoria Taylor, known to friends as Vixx, is ongoing 15 days after her disappearance on September 30, with daily searches being conducted by friends and volunteers.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

One of Ms Taylor's close friends has vowed not to give up hope in a heartbreaking social media message as the search for her enters its third week.

Charlotte Cundill, one of Ms Taylor's friends, has posted a message to a Facebook group with over 10,000 members who have joined the search for the 34-year-old.

The post read: "15 days of pure heartache. We just want to know your [sic] safe, warm and well

"These days are going by so fast it's hard to keep up. Your baby girl needs you. We all need you.. Your [sic] so loved. WE WILL NOT GIVE UP!!"

It was accompanied by a video slideshow of photos showing Taylor with her friends and family.

The search for missing mum Victoria Taylor has entered its third week.
The search for missing mum Victoria Taylor has entered its third week. Picture: Facebook

In another post shared to the same group to mark 14 days since her disappearance, Charlotte wrote: "The past 2 weeks have been full of fear, hope, cries, rain, long days and sleepless nights, so many searches, God knows how many pieces of paper, love, kindness and complete community spirit in the search to find you.

"This completely breaks my heart to say but, as we are heading into week 3 and there only been so much we can still do without leaving it to professionals.

"As your friends, family and a community we will not give up on you. With every bit of love in our hearts vixx WE WILL BRING YOU HOME"

Taylor's friends shared moving messages about her disappearance.
Taylor's friends shared moving messages about her disappearance. Picture: Facebook

The last CCTV sighting of Ms Taylor was at 12.30pm near a playground not far from the river. She was seen around 40 minutes earlier a short walk away. Police said there was no indication she had got on a bus.

Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey of North Yorkshire Police, said there was "no indication" that anyone else was involved in any way in Ms Taylor's disappearance, after she vanished on September 30 in North Yorkshire.

A number of her personal possessions were found close to the River Derwent in the town.

Willey added: "We're still treating this as a missing person inquiry

"As with any investigation we are very open minded and will continue to explore all lines of inquiry based on the discovery of Victoria's belongings so close to the water's edge, we must accept the significant possibility that Victoria has entered the River Derwent."

Read more: 'Dangerous' weather 'may impact Victoria Taylor search' after missing mum's cap and rucksack found by river

Read more: Police divers join search for missing Victoria Taylor in bid to find mother who disappeared eight days ago

‘Significant possibility’ missing mother Victoria Taylor entered river, say police

Willey said: "Searches are currently... taking place in the river, and those searches have been taking place above and below the water surface. The team are using specialist sonar equipment which gives officers a view below the surface. This search is slow and complex, and the team are working methodically in very difficult conditions.

"The use of this specialist resource will continue in the coming days, and we are very much supported by this work on a national level, by police and advisers, additional specialist police search officers are using drones to scour the rural close rural areas close to where Victoria's possessions were also found.

"Over the coming days, we will continue our search to find Victoria and ensure that we are doing all that we can support the family."

Victoria Taylor and fiance Matthew Williams
Victoria Taylor and fiance Matthew Williams. Picture: Facebook

She added: "Understandably, the disappearance of Victoria has shocked the local community and the family take comfort in the overwhelming amount of support from people, both locally and further afield, we have seen a small amount of misinformation and speculation which is not helpful and is causing unnecessary anguish to Victoria's family.

"At this time, Victoria's family have made it clear on various social media platforms following the sharing of this inaccurate information, but their wish is to work only with North Yorkshire Police in our efforts to locate Victoria, and they have asked that I take this opportunity to reiterate their position.

"And finally, we have taken advice on a national level to ensure that we are doing all that we can to achieve the best possible outcome for Victoria and her family. And as head of local policing for North Yorkshire Police, I have every confidence in our ongoing response to the missing person search for Victoria."