Body found in search for missing Norwich mum Gaynor Lord

Specialist officers discovered the body in the river around 400 metres downstream from Wensum Park on Friday morning, a week after the 55-year-old disappeared.

While police said the remains have yet to be formally identified, Gaynor's family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

Divers recovered a black bag from the River Wensum (Image: Press Association)

Senior officers say they are continuing their investigations into the circumstances of Gaynor's disappearance but that there is no evidence of third-party involvement.

Following the discovery of the body, the force convened a press conference at Wensum Park, which has been the epicentre of the search operation ever since some of Gaynor's clothing and belongings, including her mobile phone, was found there at about 8pm last Friday.

Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley, of Norfolk Constabulary (Image: Dan Grimmer)

Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley said: “We remain open-minded to the circumstances of Gaynor’s disappearance and we’ll continue to pursue all lines of inquiry to ascertain why she went missing.

“I’m keen to say this remains a missing person inquiry at this stage.

"I am also satisfied at the moment, based on the evidence that we have, that Gaynor did not meet anyone on the way to the park, and we now have a better understanding of her movements through the city centre."

A body was recovered from the River Wensum (Image: Press Association)

Gaynor had left her job at the Bullards Gin counter in Jarrolds at about 2.45pm last Friday - about an hour-and-a-quarter before her shift was due to end.

Gaynor Lord pictured on CCTV at work at Jarrolds (Image: Norfolk Police)

CCTV then showed her hurrying through the city centre and crossing Tombland to enter the grounds of Norwich Cathedral.

There were about 30 minutes, between 2.48pm and 3.22pm, where it was not clear where Gaynor then went, but police had said they did not believe she had met anyone during that period.

She was seen at 3.23pm walking away from the cathedral in Queen Street and, at 3.49pm was recorded on CCTV walking along St George's Street near the Playhouse.

CCTV catching Gaynor Lord leaving The Close on the Cathedral grounds (Image: Norfolk Police)

At 3.53pm she was in St Crispins Road walking towards Pitt Street and the final CCTV footage - all of which was released by police as they appealed to the public for help - showed her in St Augustines Street at 4.01pm.

Police were alerted to her disappearance at 8.10pm after possessions, including her handbag were found in the park, with detectives convinced she had entered the water.

Police had been methodically searching the river, both near the park and at New Mills Yard further downstream, using sonar, underwater drones and divers, since Gaynor's disappearance.

The area of the River Wensum where a woman's body was recovered (Image: Press Association)

On Friday an orange buoy was positioned about 100 metres downstream from where the focus of the search had been on Thursday.

An Environment Agency search boat was then stationed next to the buoy as a dive team arrived just after 11am.

Divers have been searching the River Wensum for days (Image: Press Association)Two members of the specialist dive team could be seen surveying the area, appearing to check if the water was safe to enter.

Police divers with flippers could be seen ready to enter the water in a park area further along the river but after a phone call was received, their kit was packed up and they rediverted.

At about 12pm, officers could be seen recovering something from the river in a black bag - about 430 yards from the area of the park where Gaynor's belongings had been found.

Chief Supt Buckley said "whilst this is not the outcome we wished for", the search for missing Gaynor had always been focused on Wensum Park.

He said: "I would reiterate at this stage that there is no evidence of third-party involvement. Nothing in our inquiries have changed this position."

Gaynor Lord (Image: Norfolk police)

He thanked the public for their help during the investigation.

Floral tributes were laid at the gates of Wensum Park, which has been shut since the search began. Police confirmed it will remain so for a number of days.

One of the tributes said: "Gaynor may you be at peace. God bless your family."