Norfolk Police confirm body found in the River Wensum is Gaynor Lord
Her death and disappearance is not being treated as suspicious, by officers
Last updated 19th Dec 2023
Norfolk Police have confirmed that the body of a woman found in the River Wensum- has been formally identified as Gaynor Lord
The 55-year-old went missing on December the 8th and was found last Friday. With the post-mortem finding no indications of third party involvement
Extensive searches took place last week and on Friday the 15th December, specialist underwater teams discovered Gaynor’s body.
A Home Office post-mortem examination carried out on Saturday (16 December) found no indications of any third-party involvement and the death is not being treated as suspicious.
While the Home Office Pathologist awaits the results of the toxicology before formally confirming cause of death, early indications are consistent with drowning.
Gaynor was formally identified yesterday (17 December), subject to formal inquest proceedings taking place.
The Background:
The married-mother-of-three was last seen on Friday, 8th December.
When she left her shift at Jarrold department store more than an hour earlier than expected.
It was later established she’d gone missing after her belongings were found in Wensum Park.
The park has been closed to the public since Saturday, with specialist teams carrying out extensive land and water searches.
Timeline of Gaynor's last movements:
2.44pm – Gaynor is working at the Bullards Gin counter in the basement at Jarrold department store – her clothing is clearly visible
2.45-2.46pm – She leaves the store via the loading bay on Bedford Street
2.47pm – Walks onto London Street past the Cosy Club
2.48pm – Gaynor makes her way onto Queens Street and walks toward the Cathedral
2.50pm – Gaynor walks into the cathedral grounds
2.57pm – Gaynor walks along Riverside Walk
3.12pm – Gaynor is seen walking back on Riverside Walk, on to Cotman Fields and crosses Bishopgate
3.13pm – Gaynor continues to talk on Riverside Road towards the cathedral
3.22pm – Gaynor is seen on The Close at the cathedral entrance – shortly before exiting through the archway she puts her coat on
3.23pm – She is seen to walk away from the cathedral on Queens Street – here you can see a clear image of the coat she was wearing
3.49pm – This is the last sighting of Gaynor on CCTV near the Playhouse on St George’s Street
3.53pm – Walks along St Crispins Road towards Pitt Street
4.01pm – Gaynor walks up St Augustines Street
4.03pm – Walks on to Baker Street
4.07pm – The final sighting of Gaynor is on Green Hills Road/St Martins Road junction.
Tributes:
Gaynor's employer:
What happens next?
Police say they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Gaynor’s disappearance and a file is being prepared for the coroner.