Four clues in Gaynor Lord mystery as police continue search for missing mum

Police are probing four major clues in the hunt for a missing mum.

Gaynor Lord, 55, was last seen on Friday (December 8) in Norwich, Norfolk after leaving her job at a department store early. The disappearance has sparked a large-scale manhunt involving drones, divers and the fire brigade.

Ms Lord's children have also called for their mum to be brought home safely. The family declared: "We want her home," and have reposted police call-outs for information on social media. Daughter Alexandra Lord wrote on Facebook: "Anything you may know small or large please contact the police!"

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Unusual behaviour

Ms Lord was supposed to finish her shift as a retail assistant for Bullards Gin at Jarrolds on Bedford Street at 4pm. However, she left the department store at 2.45pm.

The mum-of-three was spotted on London Street shortly afterwards, heading in the direction of Norwich Cathedral. Police say she didn't take her usual route home from work.

"Gaynor left work early and didn't take her normal route home," Superintendent Wes Hornigold said. "We haven't been able to establish why she left early and her disappearance is out of character so we are naturally concerned for her welfare."

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Last sighting

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Lord was at 2.35pm on Friday as she was leaving Jarrold's. However, a witness reported seeing a woman matching Ms Lord's description –around 5'6" and white with blonde shoulder-length hair in a bob – at around 4pm that day.

Rosie Richards said they saw the woman in Wensum Park, more than a mile from where Ms Lord had last been seen. She added: "It's really upsetting… I'm just thinking of her friends and family, because she is a sort of similar age to my mum and that would be awful to be going through what they are going through right now."

Ms Lord's clothes

Ms Lord's olive-coloured coat was uncovered in the River Wensum, about 1.5 miles away from her place of work. The mum's clothes, glasses, two rings and mobile phone were also found in Wensum Park, not far from where Ms Richards' reported sighting.

The items were found in the park at 8.10 on Friday evening. Norfolk Constabulary said: "Police believe the most likely scenario is that Gaynor has entered the water." They believe she may have been partially unclothed.

Superintendent Hornigold said: "There’s no evidence that Gaynor has come to harm and while we have a number of enquiries ongoing, given where her clothing was found and other items, there is a real possibility she has entered the water."

ID in handbag

Police first declared Ms Lord missing after her ID card was found in a handbag and after learning she hadn't come home that evening. Superintendent Hornigold added: "We’ve been liaising with the National Crime Agency (NCA) who have given advice around specialist underwater dive teams and we’re seeking assistance from forces with this capability.

"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."

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