Police are probing five clues after a 55-year-old mother went missing five days ago.
Gaynor Lord, who went missing in Norwich, was last seen at around 2.35pm on Friday. Norfolk Constabulary was focusing on underwater searches and said “there is a real possibility she has entered the water”.
Police divers, fire crews and coastguards have been searching the River Wensum with sonar equipment. Belongings, including clothing, jewellery and a mobile phone, were discovered by a member of the public in various locations in the park on Friday.
Officers are continuing to review CCTV, with a number of clues suggesting what may have happened to Ms Lord.
1. Coat in water
On the day Ms Lord was reported missing, her coat was found in the water, along with a number of other belongings scattered nearby. The mother’s olive coloured coat was floating in the River Wensum when it was found late on Friday evening.
Supt Wes Hornigold said today: “There’s no evidence that Gaynor has come to harm. While we have a number of inquiries ongoing, given where her clothing was found and other items, there is a real possibility she has entered the water.”
2. Belongings found
Ms Lord’s clothes, rings and mobile phone were also found on Friday evening in Norwich’s Wensum Park by a member of the public. Her white work shirt, yellow tank top, and jewellery were found spread out at different sites across the city centre park. Police now believe she went missing at least partially unclothed.
3. Left work early
Ms Lord left her job at the Jarrold’s department store early on Friday afternoon and took a different route home. Supt Hornigold said: “We haven’t been able to establish why she left early. Her disappearance is out of character so we are naturally concerned for her welfare.”
4. Last sighting
The 55-year-old was last seen walking along London Street in Norwich at 2.45pm. She is described as having blonde shoulder-length hair in a bob, white, and 5ft 6in tall.
The sighting is helping police piece together a timeline of Ms Lord’s last movements.
5. ID in handbag
Norwich Constabulary declared Ms Lord as missing after they found her ID and learned she had failed to return home from work that evening.
Supt Hornigold added: “We’ve been liaising with the National Crime Agency who have given advice around specialist underwater dive teams. We’re seeking assistance from forces with this capability.
“We hope resources will be on the ground later today or tomorrow. 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.”
