Gaynor Lord - latest: Tributes as police confirm body found in river is missing mother-of-three
Police confirmed body pulled from River Wensum on Friday following week-long search
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Tributes have begun to pour in for missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord, whose body was found in the River Wensum on Friday.
Norfolk Police confirmed the results of the official identification, which took place on Sunday, in a statement that read: “Police can confirm the body of woman found in the River Wensum in Norwich on Friday has been formally identified as Gaynor Lord.”
They added that they have found no indications of any third-party involvement and early indications of her cause of death are “consistent with drowning.”
Her employer Jarrolds said that she would be “missed by all”, while floral tributes have been laid at the gates of Wensum Park.
Ms Lord went missing on Friday December 8, after she left work in Norwich over an hour early. She was seen on CCTV footage walking through the city towards Wensum Park, where her belongings were later found.
A family friend said her loved ones were left “distraught” after she disappeared, telling The Times: “Gaynor’s husband Clive is totally lost. He doesn’t understand at all what’s happened.”
What we know about Gaynor Lord’s death
Norfolk Police have formally identified the body found in the River Wensum on Friday as the missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord.
Her disappearance prompted a week-long search in Norwich and has been the subject of mass speculation.
Police have said that they have no reason to believe there was any third-party involvement in her death when the Home Office conducted a post-mortem on Saturday.
On Sunday, the police said early indications of her cause of death suggested she had drowned.
Ms Lord was captured on CCTV walking through Norwich city centre on Friday December 8 after leaving work at Jarrolds department store an hour early.
She at times looked as if she was in a hurry as she walked to Norwich Cathedral - where she spent 34 minutes - before making her way to Wensum Park at around 4pm.
Tributes laid at Wensum Park
In the days following the discovery of a Gaynor Lord’s body in the week-long search, people have laid flowers in tribute to the mother at Wensum Park.
Norfolk Police confirmed the body pulled from the water on Friday was indeed the Norwich mother-of-three.
The 55-year-old’s belongings were discovered at the park on Friday December 8, prompting the search of the River Wensum that runs through the park.
Early indications suggest cause of death was drowning
Early indications of Gaynor Lord’s cause of death are “consistent with drowning”, Norfolk Police have said.
As they confirmed that the body pulled from the River Wensum on Friday was the Norwich mother-of-three, the force added that they are compiling a file for the coroner as they continue their investigations around the 55-year-old’s death.
A statement said: “While the Home Office Pathologist awaits the results of the toxicology before formally confirming cause of death, early indications are consistent with drowning.”
They added that a Home Office post-mortem found no indication of third-party involvement in her death and it is not being treated as suspicious.
Body found in river confirmed to be Gaynor Lord
The body found in the River Wensum on Friday has been formally identified as Gaynor Lord, police confirmed on Monday.
Norfolk Police said that the official identification of the mother-of-three took place on Sunday, subject to formal inquest proceedings taking place.
A statement from the force read: “A Home Office post-mortem examination carried out on Saturday (16 December) found no indications of any third-party involvement and the death is not being treated as suspicious.
“While the Home Office Pathologist awaits the results of the toxicology before formally confirming cause of death, early indications are consistent with drowning.”
Tributes paid on social media
Friends of Gaynor Lord’s daughter paid tribute to the mother-of-three after her daughter shared a police update on social media.
On Friday, Norfolk Police pulled a body from the River Wensum following a week-long search for Ms Lord.
After her daughter shared the update, friends took to social media to share their support.
One wrote: “We are so saddened to hear this news today. Sending you all love and god bless your beautiful mum.”
“Sending you all so much love. I can’t imagine what you are all going through my thoughts are with you all,” another said.
Recap: Timeline of last known movements of missing Gaynor Lord
Police carried out a massive week-long search for mother-of-three Gaynor Lord who went missing after leaving early from her work at a Norwich department store.
It was confirmed on Friday that the body of a woman had been found in the search although formal identification is yet to take place.
Here is a timeline of what we know of the last movements of the 55-year-old and of the investigation by Norfolk Constabulary into her disappearance in Norwich:
Timeline of last known movements of missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord
Here is a timeline of what we know of the last movements of the 55-year-old and of the investigation by Norfolk Constabulary into her disappearance.
In pictures recap: The search for missing mother Gaynor Lord
Recap: CCTV shows missing mother Gaynor Lord’s last known moments
Footage shows Gaynor Lord’s last-known movements before she went missing in Norwich on Friday, 8 December.
Police released CCTV showing the 55-year-old walking to and from the cathedral on Queens Street before continuing to walk along St George’s Street at 3.49pm.
She then walks along St Crispins Road towards Pitt Street and up St Augustines Street at 4.01pm, which was the last sighting of her on CCTV.
Holly Patrick reports:
Gaynor Lord: CCTV shows missing mother’s last known moments
Footage shows Gaynor Lord’s last-known movements before she went missing in Norwich on Friday, 8 December. Police have released CCTV showing the 55-year-old walking to and from the cathedral on Queens Street before continuing to walk along St George’s Street at 3.49pm. She then walks along St Crispins Road towards Pitt Street and up St Augustines Street at 4.01pm, which was the last sighting of her on CCTV. “We are particularly keen on hearing from anyone who may have seen Gaynor in the cathedral grounds,” Norwich policing commander Superintendent Wes Hornigold said.
Recap: Friend of missing mother Gaynor Lord details last call
A friend of missing Norwich woman Gaynor Lord has detailed the last phone call she received from her on the day she was last seen.
Ms Lord, a mother of three, was reported missing in Norwich last Friday (8 December) after failing to return home from work.
Julie Butcher received a call from Ms Lord at 2.15pm that day but had to cut it short to speak to a client.
Speaking to Sky News on Thursday (14 December), Ms Butcher said: “I said could I call her back and she said ‘yes’.”
She later called Ms Lord but could not get through to her.
Ms Butcher said: “I wish I had never answered that call.”
Lucy Leeson reports:
Gaynor Lord: Friend of missing mother details last call
A friend of missing Norwich woman Gaynor Lord has detailed the last phone call she received from her on the day she was last seen. Ms Lord, a mother of three, was reported missing in Norwich last Friday (8 December) after failing to return home from work. Julie Butcher received a call from Ms Lord at 2.15pm that day but had to cut it short to speak to a client. Speaking to Sky News on Thursday (14 December), Ms Butcher said: “I said could I call her back and she said ‘yes’.” She later called Ms Lord but could not get through to her. Ms Butcher said: “I wish I had never answered that call.”
Gaynor Lord’s husband ‘distraught’
Gaynor Lord’s heartbroken family have told friends of their pain as specialist divers found a body in the hunt for the missing Norwich mother.
A family friend said the 55-year-old’s loved ones were left “distraught” after she disappeared, telling The Times: “Gaynor’s husband Clive is totally lost. He doesn’t understand at all what’s happened.”
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