TRAGIC END
Body found in hunt for mum Victoria Taylor whose belongings were discovered on riverbank after she vanished from home
Huge search was launched after CCTV showed mum in petrol station
A BODY has been found in the hunt for a missing mum whose belongings were discovered on a riverbank after she vanished.
Victoria Taylor disappeared from her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, at around 9am on September 30.
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Police launched a huge search for bride-to-be Victoria after her personal belongings were found close to the River Derwent.
A final CCTV image showed the 34-year-old hidden under a camouflage baseball cap at a BP garage later that morning.
Officers today revealed a body was found by underwater search teams at around 11.45am close to where her possessions were found.
Formal identification has not yet taken place but Victoria's "distressed" family have been told about the tragic development.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said: "The disappearance of Victoria has understandably had a wider impact on the communities of Norton and Malton.
"Victoria's family and those closest to her have understandably felt enormous amount of heartache since the day she was reported missing, and they've previously acknowledged just how grateful they are to the local community for the overwhelming level of support that they have had as a family.
"Whilst today's outcome is not what anybody would wish for, Victoria's family have again asked me to express their thanks to all of those who've supported North Yorkshire Police and other emergency services in our efforts to locate Victoria.
"They've also asked me to ask for time and space for them as a family to come to terms with the information, the news that they've been provided with today.
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"And our thoughts remain very much with them at this time."
The nurse, who is mum to a two-year-old daughter, is understood to have been seen heading towards a library on Commercial Street in Malton.
She was then captured on CCTV at the petrol garage in Welham Road - around half a mile away - wearing jeans and a puffa jacket.
Mystery as cops hunting for missing mum Victoria Taylor find 'belongings' on river bank as drones deployed in search
Victoria was seen on camera as she passed Malton bus station and a children's play park at 11.53am.
Her last sighting was at 12.30pm as she walked towards the play park before heading to a path along the water.
Police previously confirmed they were keeping an open mind but there was nothing to suggest any third party involvement.
They concentrated their search on the river after confirming a "number of personal possessions" belonging to Victoria had been found near the water.
Head of Local Policing, Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey, said the force had to accept the "significant possibility" the mum had entered the river.
Drones were used to search the area from above, while a specialist underwater unit was also drafted in to help with the hunt.
Officers also used sophisticated sonar technology to scan the river bed as the search ramped up.
A Facebook group was also set up to help find Victoria as locals put up missing posters around the area.
Her fiancé Matthew Williams updated his Facebook profile picture to a touching black and white snap of the pair.
He later issued a heartbreaking plea, saying: "I hope she comes back safely".
The couple had recently returned home after enjoying their first holiday together in Majorca.
Matthew also wept as he told how he and the pair's two-year-old daughter were living "in hope".
He added: "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."
While her sisters Emma and Heidi said: “We currently feel sick, distraught and lost following the disappearance of Vixx, but we are trying to focus on the children in the family to maintain a sense of routine at this difficult time.
“We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers who have assisted in the search for Vixx so far. The wider local community has also rallied around, and we are eternally grateful for the support that they have given to us, Vixx’s family.
“The police have told us that searches will continue over the weekend for which we are grateful.
“The water is challenging at the moment due to the recent weather so if people are out searching for Vixx, then please do not put yourself at risk.”
Victoria was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffa jacket with white stripes down the sleeves and a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper.
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She had shared a touching image with her daughter on Facebook just days before she vanished.
North Yorkshire Police previously said members of the public should expect to see an increased police presence in Malton.
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