Body found in connection with the search for Victoria Taylor

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who held a press conference at Fulford police station today (October 22), said: "Today we have recovered a body in connection with the search for Victoria Taylor. The police underwater search team made the discovery at 11.45am this morning in the River Derwent near to where Victoria's items were recovered."

ACC Fox has thanked "all of the members of the public who have made contact with us."

He said her disappearance has had an "impact" on the local community of Malton. He added: "While today's outcome is not what anyone wished for, Victoria's family asked me to express thanks to those who supported North Yorkshire Police and the emergency services...

"Our thoughts remain very much with them at this time."

Victoria Taylor was reported missing on Tuesday 01 October, she was last seen the day before on Monday 30 September.

On the two-week anniversary since Victoria was reported missing, her sisters Emma and Heidi have said: “ There are no words for us to describe how we are feeling as it's ever-changing.

“We have to have some sort of normality for the children. As we know, Vixx is a mum but also an auntie and Halloween is one of her favourite seasons as she is the costume queen!

“ We would like to thank the police teams as they are doing all they can, and we understand that these things take time.

“The local community is amazing, from putting up posters to the daily walks to search for Vixx. We would like to thank the special people, you know who you are.

“The wider community on the Facebook page with over 10,000 people sharing Vixx’s information and sending support has given us comfort. We continue to have hope, as it is all we have at this time.”

Specialist officers continue to support Emma, Heidi and Victoria’s family and we are keeping them updated on the investigation during this distressing time.

Our Head of Local Policing, Chief Superintendent Fiona Willey said: “Over the past fourteen days we have carried out extensive enquiries to try and locate Victoria. Our focus remains on the area of the last sighting and where Victoria’s possessions were found close to the River Derwent.

“To assist with our search capability, we are utilising police search dogs from Northumbria who are specialised in searching for people. The dogs and their handlers are highly trained and are deployed to scour areas that run alongside the River Derwent.

“In addition to this, we continue with expert-led searches by land and water involving multiple teams, including our force drone unit.

“We are continuing to source and act on advice from national policing specialists and are issuing multiple appeals to the public and media for information.”

Victoria left her home at 9am on Monday, September 30. She was then seen on CCTV at 11.35am at the BP garage on Welham Road in the Norton area of Malton. A further sighting of Victoria was captured at 11.53am on the Monday (30 September) at Malton Bus Station on Railway Street but is not believed to have taken public transport.

Further CCTV footage showed Victoria walking towards the play park on Riverside walk at 12.30pm. Various items that belong to her have been recovered from this location. Searches have also been taking place in the River Derwent.