Police searching for missing Mum in Norwich find body in river
The mother of three, Gaynor Lord, has been missing for a week
Last updated 15th Dec 2023
Police searching missing Norwich woman, Gaynor Lord, say they have found a body.
It was discovered in the River Wensum by underwater search teams this morning.
The body has now been recovered from the water.
Formal identification is yet to take place, but Gaynor's family have been informed.
It is one week since the 55-year-old mother of three failed to return home from work.
She disappeared after leaving work early in Norwich city centre at 2.45pm on Friday December 8th.
Her belongings were found in Wensum Park - around 1.5 miles from her workplace at Jarrolds department store - and her coat was discovered in the river that runs through the park.
Detectives said Ms Lord's clothing, mobile phone, glasses and jewellery, including two rings, were discovered at various locations in the park.
"No evidence of third-party involvement"
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley, Norfolk’s County Policing Commander, said: “While we establish the woman’s identity, our thoughts remain with Gaynor’s family at this difficult and distressing time. We have specialist family liaison officers supporting and keeping them updated with our work.
“We remain open minded to the circumstances surrounding Gaynor’s disappearance and will continue to pursue lines of enquiry to understand why she went missing. I am keen to say this remains a missing person investigation.
“We’ve been able to trace Gaynor’s movements through CCTV in the city and at this stage, we’re satisfied there is no evidence that Gaynor met anybody on the way to the park.
“While this is not the outcome we wished for, our search has always predominantly focused on the river and the park.
“A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of death, however I would reiterate that at this stage there is no evidence of third-party involvement. Nothing in our enquiries so far has changed this position.”
Police confirmed they've sought advice from officers from Lancashire Constabulary who worked on the search for Nicola Bulley.
Ms Bulley's body was found in the River Wyre in Lancashire on February 19.
The Lancashire force was criticised over its handling of that investigation and the disclosure of Ms Bulley's personal information.