The heartbroken family of missing mother Victoria Taylor have said they feel ‘sick, distraught and lost’ as the search for the missing mother enters its fifth day.
Bride-to-be Victoria was last seen on Monday at her home, which she shares with partner Matthew Grant Williams and their two-year-old daughter, in Malton, North Yorkshire.
Her sisters Emma Worden and Heidi Baker have revealed they are trying to remain focused on the children during this difficult time following Victoria’s disappearance.
It comes as her fiancé, Matthew broke his silence earlier today to make a tearful plea for the ‘dedicated’ mother to return to the daughter she doted on.
In a recent statement, Emma and Heidi said: ‘We currently feel sick, distraught and lost following the disappearance of Vixx, but we are trying to focus on the children in the family to maintain a sense of routine at this difficult time.
The heartbroken sisters of missing mother Victoria Taylor (Pictured with her fiancé Matthew Grant) have said they feel ‘sick, distraught and lost’ as the search for the missing mother enters its fifth day
The fiancé of missing mum Victoria Taylor posted this poignant picture of them together following her disappearance on Monday
Victoria’s sisters Emma Worden and Heidi Baker (Pictured) shared that they are trying to remain focused on the children during this difficult time
CCTV footage from Monday at 11.35am shows Victoria Taylor, 34, inside a BP garage wearing a camo hat and a blue Adidas coat
Victoria (pictured) was last seen at her home in Malton at 9am on Monday prompting a huge search operation
‘We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers who have assisted in the search for Vixx so far.
‘The wider local community has also rallied around, and we are eternally grateful for the support that they have given to us, Vixx’s family.
‘The police have told us that searches will continue over the weekend for which we are grateful.
‘The water is challenging at the moment due to the recent weather so if people are out searching for Vixx, then please do not put yourself at risk.’
The 34-year-old’s belongings were later discovered discarded on the banks of the River Derwent, prompting a huge police search, with divers scouring the area over the last week.
Earlier today, her fiancé Matthew has issued a plea for the ‘dedicated’ mother to come home.
Clutching their daughter, he broke down in tears as he said: ‘I hope she comes back safely.’
Staring lovingly at the child, he continued: ‘Obviously, this one is missing her mam. We are all hoping she comes back.
‘She was dedicated to her job, dedicated to us, and we had just returned from a lovely holiday. It is just sad.’
He continued: ‘As soon as we reported her missing, knowing her very well we went looking around the area where the police had been.
Victoria pictured with her husband-to-be Matthew. The father has today issued a tearful plea for her to return
Victoria was due to marry her fiance Matthew, but they had not set a date, having just returned from their first family holiday in Majorca
Police water search units have been seen scouring the river earlier today
Malton town centre, where missing woman Victoria Taylor lives with her fiance and daughter
‘Since then, with the weather and everything, I just want to be here for this one.’
Matthew confirmed he and Victoria were due to get married, but had not set a date, having just returned from their first family holiday in Majorca.
‘I am just heartbroken for this one. I know Vikki wanted [our daughter] to have the best opportunities in life – the opportunities she never had.
‘It breaks my heart.’
Cuddling his daughter, he sobbed: ‘We live in hope, don’t we kid. She was such a good mother to this kid and I hope she can be a good mother again.’
Victoria’s sisters Emma and Heidi previously begged for the missing woman to get in contact.
The pair began to sob as they told ITV on Thursday: ‘Vicky, just come home. We just want her home.
‘She’s got a little baby and her partner. We’re just so worried. If anyone knows anything, just let us know.
‘She’s a very popular person. Obviously, she’s a nurse and looked after so many people’s parents round here.’
Victoria and Matthew planned to marry at the Roman Catholic church of St Leonard and St Mary which was founded in 1190AD.
Matthew is a regular worshipper and although Victoria is a none catholic her daughter was baptised there.
No arrangements had yet been made for the service but prayers will be said for the couple there this Sunday as well as the Anglican churches in the town, sources said.
Victoria, with her fiance Matthew and their two-year-old daughter
Victoria was described as a ‘dedicated’ mother by her fiance Matthew
Victoria was seen at her home in the market town at 9am on Monday with her husband Matthew and their two-year-old daughter. She was Facetiming siblings.
Matthew and Victoria then left with their daughter to visit his parents. Victoria then left his parents’ house and did not return, her sister Heidi Baker said.
She is believed to have been heading towards a community library.
Victoria was caught on CCTV at 11.35am buying a bottle of Dr Pepper and a bottle of water at a nearby Mark and Spencer outlet at the BP garage in Welham Road.
The footage shows the nurse inside wearing a camo hat and a blue Adidas coat.
Police said earlier that she was last seen wearing the Adidas coat, but did not mention the camo hat.
A local lady saw her crossing the railway crossing near a Lidl store in Welham Road about 11.30 to 12 noon, heading towards the River Derwent.
A woman in a house near the play park saw her coming down the path leading to the River.
She was then seen by locals passing a local children’s play park, the Riverside Playground, and walking along a thickly overgrown path next to the river between 11.30am and noon.
Two policemen are seen searching the River Derwent in kayaks on Friday
A police officer searches the bank of the River Derwent in a kayak on Friday
Victoria was last seen leaving Matthew’s parents’ house and did not return, her sister Heidi Baker said. She is believed to have been heading towards a community library (pictured)
Victoria was caught on CCTV at 11.35am buying a bottle of Dr Pepper and a bottle of water at a nearby Mark and Spencer outlet at this BP garage in Welham Road
The BP garage where Victoria was seen on CCTV is seen on the left of Welham Road, while the nearby Lidl is seen opposite
A poster appealing for help to find missing woman Victoria Taylor has been placed on a shop window in Malton
The River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire where police water search units have been searching for mother-of-one Victoria
Friends of the missing mother-of-one have claimed her Instagram account was still ‘active’ the day after she vanished.
They suggested Ms Taylor’s family may have been using her Instagram profile, which led to the account showing as ‘active’, the Sun reported.
However, the missing bride-to-be’s loved ones have not stated this was the case.
Drones have been used in the search while police in kayaks have been seen on the River Derwent.
An underwater team have also been involved while others officers have reviewed hours of CCTV from around Malton where Victoria was last seen.
Insp Martin Dennison from North Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are very concerned about Victoria’s whereabouts and, like her family and friends, just want to see her safe and well.
‘I would urge the public to be cautious if looking for Victoria near the river.
Meanwhile, members of the local community and Victoria’s family gathered at the Derwent Arms pub this afternoon for a fresh search of the tangle of footpaths and walks by the river.
The searches are being organised by next door neighbour Charlotte Cundill, 30, who works at the pub and has recruited 4,000 members to a Facebook page co-ordinating the community effort.
Victoria’s friends and family, including Charlotte, have posted in the group that they ‘won’t give up’ on finding the mother, who originally hails from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Charlotte said: ‘Day five let’s do this. Let’s get you home beautiful. I won’t give up.’
She previously said: ‘I am tired and very exhausted. We are just doing what we can. I have been around a lot of Milton. A lot of care homes have printed out posters for lampposts.
A police van is seen parked next to a children’s playground in Malton, close to where Victoria went missing
A missing persons poster for Victoria attached on the railing of a bridge over the River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire
A member of the search team scours the river in a kayak on Thursday as police continue their probe into missing mother Victoria Taylor
Police officers clambering up a river bank during the search for the missing mother on Thursday
Police have said the public should expect to see an increased presence of officers in Malton as they carry out searches of the River Derwent
‘We have the Food festival here this weekend so Malton is going to be really busy and we are spreading as much awareness as we can.
‘Vikki is lovely, a very very caring woman, brilliant nurse, brilliant mum and brilliant girlfriend to her partner Matthew.
‘I just want her home. We all want her home. Even people from Huddersfield where she is from have come to spread awareness.
‘I have known her since I was at school. It was Tuesday morning she was reported missing properly – 24 hours after she left.
‘I felt shock more than anything. Our message to Vikki is ‘come home, your family needs you – just come home’.
‘As many people as we can get down to the river as we can will be searching. She had been a nurse quite a few years. She was brilliant at it.
‘She had done years of training to get where she was. She has looked after a lot of people and is very well known. She has a beautiful little girl.
‘She has done a lot of charity work. I know she dived out of a plane. She is much loved woman. It has come as a real shock.’
Marine and Underwater Search Units stand on the riverbank of the River Derwent on Thursday as they continue the search for Victoria
Police kayakers on the River Derwent as it weaves through the Malton/Norton area on Thursday
Police teams hauling kayaks over the mud near the River Derwent on Thursday
Specialist teams could be seen combing a section of the River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire, after some of her belongings were found on a riverbank.
Police have said the public should expect to see an increased presence of officers in Malton as they carry out searches of the River Derwent.
Inspector Leanne Anderson from North Yorkshire Police said: ‘There are a range of enquiries taking place to try and locate Victoria.
‘This is still a missing person enquiry, and the focus of our activity is within the Malton/Norton area.
‘Extensive searches will take place today and I would urge members of the public in the Malton / Norton areas to remain vigilant and report sightings or pass information to police immediately.’
Any immediate sightings of Victoria should be reported to police on 999.
Anyone with any information that could help the search, is urged to call 101 and quote reference 12240178710.
North Yorkshire Police have been contacted for an updated statement.
