Published 2023-12-13 23.50
Surveillance footage shows Gaynor Lord, 55, smiling and leaving work an hour earlier than usual.
A few hours later, her clothes are found scattered in a park.
But the mother of three has disappeared without a trace.
For six days, the police in Norwich, England, have been searching for the missing 55-year-old.
The family reported the disappearance on Friday evening. Then the mother of three had not come home from her job at the department store Jarrolds.
Around the same time, a private citizen contacted the police after making several strange finds in Wensum Park, which is a 20-minute walk from the woman’s job.
There were clothes, jewellery, a mobile phone and glasses – things that have all been found to belong to the 55-year-old.
Diving in river
Her coat was later found in the river that runs next to the park. Police say they believe the woman “may have gone into the water.”
Since last Saturday, the entire park has been closed. The police, the fire brigade and the coast guard have thoroughly combed both the park and the river. Drones and sonar have been used, but without success.
During Wednesday, divers joined the search effort, which now continues below the surface of the water.
The walk caught on film
On Wednesday, police released surveillance footage showing the woman’s last known movements.
Gaynor Lord would have worked until 4pm in the department store.
But already at a quarter to three, she is seen leaving work, with a smile on her face and her handbag in full swing.
The woman rushes through the city center aiming for Norwich Cathedral. Half an hour later, she leaves the cathedral grounds and moves on.
At 4:10 p.m., she is caught on film walking up another street.
Then the tracks end.
The police: “Not like her”
A witness speaks up BBC that she saw a woman with Gaynor Lord’s description in the park at 4pm on Friday.
– It is very upsetting. I’m just thinking about her friends and family, because she’s about the same age as my mom and it would be horrible to go through what they’re going through right now,” the woman said.
According to the police, there is no evidence that Gaynor Lord was injured. But the disappearance is puzzling – partly because she didn’t take the usual route home.
– We have not been able to determine why she left work early. And it’s not like her to disappear like this. So we are naturally concerned for her well-being, Wes Hornigold, chief constable in Norwich, told the BBC.
On social media, Gaynor Lord’s daughters are appealing to the public to help the police.
– We want her home, daughter Alexandra writes on Facebook according to Daily Mail.