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Backpacker, 29, who vanished from hostel spotted ‘looking dishevelled’ and ‘limping’ days after sending ‘cryptic’ text
She was reported missing on December 8 after failing to make contact with her family in Australia
A BACKPACKER who vanished from her hostel was spotted "looking dishevelled" and "limping" just days after sending a "cryptic" text.
Jessica Parkinson, 29, had not been seen since Sunday December 8 - after she was spotted leaving St Christopher’s Inn hostel in Bermondsey.
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But a café worker on Borough High Street, the same road as her hostel, believes he saw the Jessica on Sunday December 15.
The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, described how he saw a "dishevelled" woman, who he said was the missing Australian, walking down the street on Sunday evening.
She was spotted travelling north towards St Christopher's Inn hostel wearing a pink outfit at around 6:30pm.
He said: "She was looking like she was fed up.
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"Also, she was walking quite weirdly and limping.
"She looked like she could have been homeless."
Jessica was reported missing on December 8 by her father after failing to make contact with relatives in Queensland.
Three days later, on Wednesday December 11, Jessica did not turn up to her 4pm shift at barbecue restaurant Texas Joe's - where she had worked for the past year.
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When managers texted to ask where she was, she claimed to have got her start time wrong and promised to be "right there" by 5pm.
But Jessica never turned up to work and sent a "cryptic" text to a colleague later that evening.
Haunting CCTV shows 'much-loved' dad just moments before he suddenly disappeared - as daughter makes desperate plea
Restaurant owner Joe Walters contacted Jessica's dad on December 13 after she failed to turn up to three shifts in a row.
The worried father then told Mr Walters that cops had already been alerted and it was being treated as a missing persons case.
The 29-year-old backpacker was then reporter missing for a second time last Friday.
Jessica had recently been evicted from her flat and had been living in St Christopher’s Inn hostel on Borough High Street.
Mr Walters told the that it was very out of character for Jessica to just go missing as she was normally "very reliable".
He said: "Then she didn’t show up to work on Thursday and then when she didn’t show up on Friday I reached out to her father in Australia.
"He told me the police had been alerted and is being dealt with by the missing persons unit."
A missing person sign is now in place for Jessica in the restaurant's window.
The 29-year-old had discussed travelling back to Australia for the holidays but none of her family or friends there have heard from her.
Joe added: "She is very clever, outgoing and friendly.
"Her two sisters and her father have heard nothing. And I assume the police know she hasn’t used her passport."
A Met spokesperson confirmed the search for Jessica is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding Jessica's whereabouts are urged to get in touch with cops.
She is described as being 5ft4 with blue eyes and reddish, blonde hair.
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A spokesperson for the force said: "Police are currently investigating the whereabouts of Jessica Parkinson, 29, after she was last seen on Sunday, 08 December in Bermondsey.
"Anyone who may have seen Jessica is encouraged to contact police quoting reference number, 01/1196494/24."
Jessica Parkinson timeline
December 8 - Jessica was last seen leaving backpacking hostel St Christopher's Inn at Bermondsey two weeks ago.
December 8 - Later that day she was reported missing by her father after she failed to make contact with relatives in Queensland, Australia.
December 11 - Jessica fails to show up for her 4pm shift at barbecue restaurant Texas Joes.
When managers texted to ask where she was, she claimed to have got her start time wrong and promised to be "right there" by 5pm but didn't show.
December 11 evening - Sent a 'cryptic' message to another member of staff later that night.
December 13 - Workplace contacted Jessica's dad after she missed her shifts on Thursday December 12 and Friday December 13.
December 13 - She was then reported missing again after not turning up for three shifts in a row.
December 15 - Jessica is reportedly spotted looking "dishevelled" walking north on Borough High Street near St Christopher's Inn
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