Yahoo News Gaynor Lord - latest: Tributes as police confirm body found in river is missing mother-of-three
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.”
Key Points
Body formally identified as Gaynor Lord
Body pulled from river in search for missing Norwich mother Gaynor Lord
No third-party involvement in death of woman found in river
Full timeline of Lord’s last known movements
We’re ending our live coverage
12:54 , Holly Evans
We’re now ending our live coverage, thank you for reading.
Mapped: Gaynor Lord’s last known movements
12:44 , Holly Evans
Norfolk Police confirmed on Monday that the body pulled out of the River Wensum on Friday was Gaynor Lord.
The mother-of-three had been missing for a week before she was found.
Her final known movements were captured on CCTV as she walked through Norwich city centre after leaving work over an hour early.
Tributes left for missing mother
11:28 , Holly Evans
Employer Jarrolds pay tribute to Gaynor Lord
10:09 , Holly Evans
Tributes have begun to pour in for mother-of-three Gaynor Lord, whose body was found in the River Wensum on Friday.
In a statement on social media, her employer Jarrolds said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Gaynor Lord at this extremely difficult time. As someone who worked within the store she will be missed by all and we would like to pass on our collective condolences.”
Our thoughts are with the family of Gaynor Lord at this extremely difficult time. As someone who worked within the store she will be missed by all and we would like to pass on our collective condolences. pic.twitter.com/43vilOwsk5
— Jarrolds (@JarroldNorwich) December 18, 2023
Police had taken advice from officers dealing with Nicola Bulley case
09:25 , Holly Evans
Police previously confirmed they consulted officers from Lancashire Constabulary who worked on the search for Nicola Bulley.
Ms Bulley’s body was found in the River Wyre in Lancashire on February 19.
The Lancashire force was criticised over its handling of that investigation and the disclosure of Ms Bulley’s personal information.
Gaynor Lord’s cause of death appears to be ‘consistent with drowning’
08:00 , Holly Evans
Missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord’s cause of death appears to be “consistent with drowning”, police have said.
A body recovered from the River Wensum on Friday has now been formally identified as the 55-year-old.
Police said Ms Lord’s cause of death has not been confirmed, but early indications are consistent with drowning.
The force said it will await a Home Office toxicology report before confirming her cause of death.
Ms Lord’s body was formally identified on Sunday, subject to formal inquest proceedings taking place.
In pictures: Floral tributes left for Gaynor Lord
07:00 , Athena Stavrou
Video: Friend of Gaynor Lord details last call
06:00 , Athena Stavrou
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, 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.”
Police ‘working hard’ to uncover reason for entering water
05:00 , Athena Stavrou
Missing Persons Expert Charlie Hedges analyses the case of Gaynor Lord after Norfolk Police discovered a body in a nearby river.
He told GB News: “It is important to retain an open mind. Police will be working very hard to understand her circumstances or background looking for any information which can point them towards the reason why she went in the water.
“Was it voluntary? They said they ruled out third parties but clearly, they would like to know as much as possible.”
He added he expects the information to be released into the public domain at an appropriate time.
Pictures recap: The search for Gaynor Lord
04:00 , Athena Stavrou
Police to continue topursue all lines of enquiry
03:00 , Athena Stavrou
In a statement on Saturday, Norfolk Police said they would “pursue all lines of enquiry” to understand why mother-of-three Gaynor Lord went missing last Friday
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley said: “The post-mortem examination has found no signs that any other parties were involved.
“Although our searches have concluded, officers are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances surrounding Gaynor’s disappearance.
“We will pursue all lines of inquiry to understand why she went missing.”
Why did Gaynor Lord leave work early?
02:00 , Athena Stavrou
Ms Lord worked in Jarrolds department store in Bedford Street, Norwich.
Her shift on Friday December 8 was due to end at 4pm but instead she left more than an hour early at 2.45pm. So far, Police have been unable to explain why, and have been informed by friends and family her behaviour was out of character.
Chief Superintendant Dave Buckley told a media briefing last week: “We can’t explain some of her behaviour that day. We’re working really closely with family, with friends, with anybody else who might have had contact with her in the recent days or weeks to try and understand why this might have happened.
“People are very shocked by what’s happened. Nobody knows why she’s done what she’s done.”
Mapped: Gaynor Lord’s last known movements
01:00 , Athena Stavrou
Norfolk Police confirmed on Monday that the body pulled out of the River Wensum on Friday was Gaynor Lord.
The mother-of-three had been missing for a week before she was found.
Her final known movements were captured on CCTV as she walked through Norwich city centre after leaving work over an hour early.
No third-party involvement, police say
00:01 , Athena Stavrou
Detectives investigating the disappearance of mother-of-three Gaynor Lord have said there is no evidence a third party was involved in her death.
The 55-year-old vanished after leaving work in Norwich city centre early at 2.45pm on December 8 and Norfolk Police said her body was found in the River Wensum on Friday.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Saturday morning and found no indication a third party was involved and the death is not being treated as suspicious, the force added.
Watch: CCTV shows missing mother's last known moments
Monday 18 December 2023 23:00 , Athena Stavrou
Full police statement on formal identification of Gaynor Lord
Monday 18 December 2023 22:00 , Athena Stavrou
This is the full statement released by Norfolk Police today as they confirmed the body pulled from the River Wensum on Friday was Gaynor Lord:
Police can confirm the body of woman found in the River Wensum in Norwich on Friday has been formally identified as Gaynor Lord.
Gaynor went missing on Friday 8 December; she’d left work early and later that evening her belongings were discovered in Wensum Park.
Extensive searches took place last week and on Friday morning (15 December) specialist underwater teams discovered Gaynor’s body.
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.
Gaynor was formally identified yesterday (17 December), subject to formal inquest proceedings taking place.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Gaynor’s disappearance and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
Norfolk Police
Timeline of Gaynor’s last known movements
Monday 18 December 2023 21:00 , Athena Stavrou
Norfolk Police have confirmed the timeline of Gaynor’s movements in the city centre:
2.44pm – Gaynor is working at the Bullards Gin counter in the basement at Jarrold department store – her clothing is clearly visible
2.45-2.46pm – She leaves the store via the loading bay on Bedford Street
2.47pm – Walks onto London Street past the Cosy Club
2.48pm – Gaynor makes her way onto Queens Street and walks toward the Cathedral
2.50pm – Gaynor walks into the cathedral grounds
2.57pm – Gaynor walks along Riverside Walk
3.12pm – Gaynor is seen walking back on Riverside Walk, on to Cotman Fields and crosses Bishopgate
3.13pm – Gaynor continues to talk on Riverside Road towards the cathedral
3.22pm – Gaynor is seen on The Close at the cathedral entrance – shortly before exiting through the archway she puts her coat on
3.23pm – She is seen to walk away from the cathedral on Queens Street – here you can see a clear image of the coat she was wearing
3.49pm – This is the last sighting of Gaynor on CCTV near the Playhouse on St George’s Street
3.53pm – Walks along St Crispins Road towards Pitt Street
4.01pm – Gaynor walks up St Augustines Street
4.03pm – Walks on to Baker Street
4.07pm – The final sighting of Gaynor is on Green Hills Road/St Martins Road junction
Husband ‘distraught’ as body found confirmed to be Gaynor Lord
Monday 18 December 2023 20:00 , Athena Stavrou
Gaynor Lord’s heartbroken family have told friends of their pain as police confirmed her body was found in the river on Friday.
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.”
Lord’s daughter Charlotte, 24, had shared police appeals several times on social media. Her latest tragic update confirmed a body had been found.
What happened to Gaynor Lord’s belongings?
Monday 18 December 2023 19:05 , Athena Stavrou
Police found a number of Ms Lord’s belongings scattered in Wensum Park next to the river where they were conducting the main search.
Clothing, a mobile phone and glasses were found dispersed around the park 1.5 miles from her workplace in a department store. Her coat was found in the River Wensum itself.
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley from Norfolk Police said the force had used sonar equipment across the river which was an “extraordinarily challenging environment” for them to work in.
Department store Gaynor Lord worked at releases statement
Monday 18 December 2023 17:59 , Athena Stavrou
The department store Gaynor Lord worked at before she went missing has spoken out after police confirmed they had found her body in the River Wensum on Friday.
The mother-of-three left her shift at Jarrolds early on Friday December 8 before walking through Norwich city centre towards Wensum Park.
Her belongings were later found scattered around the park and in the water that ran through the site prompting a week-long search.
On Monday afternoon, Jarrolds released a statement sharing their condolences to the family of their former colleague reading: “Our thoughts are with the family of Gaynor Lord at this extremely difficult time. As someone who worked within the store she will be missed by all and we would like to pass on our collective condolences.”
Our thoughts are with the family of Gaynor Lord at this extremely difficult time. As someone who worked within the store she will be missed by all and we would like to pass on our collective condolences. pic.twitter.com/43vilOwsk5
— Jarrolds (@JarroldNorwich) December 18, 2023
What we know about Gaynor Lord’s death
Monday 18 December 2023 16:45 , Athena Stavrou
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
Monday 18 December 2023 15:40 , Athena Stavrou
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
Monday 18 December 2023 15:12 , Athena Stavrou
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
Monday 18 December 2023 14:51 , Athena Stavrou
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
Monday 18 December 2023 13:53 , Athena Stavrou
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
Monday 18 December 2023 12:25 , Tara Cobham
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
In pictures recap: The search for missing mother Gaynor Lord
Monday 18 December 2023 11:06 , Tara Cobham
Recap: CCTV shows missing mother Gaynor Lord’s last known moments
Monday 18 December 2023 10:20 , Tara Cobham
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
Recap: Friend of missing mother Gaynor Lord details last call
Monday 18 December 2023 10:16 , Tara Cobham
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
Gaynor Lord’s husband ‘distraught’
Monday 18 December 2023 08:00 , Tara Cobham
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.”
Mapped: Lord’s last known movements
Monday 18 December 2023 07:00 , Matt Mathers
Wensum Park reopened
Monday 18 December 2023 06:00 , Matt Mathers
Norfolk Police have confirmed that Wensum Park, which was closed throughout the investigation into the missing mother Gaynor Lord, has now reopened.
It comes after a body was recovered in the River Wensum on Friday, a week after the mother-of-three went missing.
A post-mortem examination was concluded on Saturday and police are confident there was no third party involvement.
Police: ‘We will pursue all lines of enquiry to understand why she went missing’
Monday 18 December 2023 05:00 , Matt Mathers
In a statement on Saturday, Norfolk Police said they would “pursue all lines of enquiry” to understand why mother-of-three Gaynor Lord went missing over a week ago.
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley said: “The post-mortem examination has found no signs that any other parties were involved.
“Although our searches have concluded, officers are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances surrounding Gaynor’s disappearance.
“We will pursue all lines of inquiry to understand why she went missing.
“Our thoughts remain with Gaynor’s family at this incredibly difficult time.”
Gaynor Lord eyewitness says she saw ‘calm’ mother-of-three doing yoga pose in park before disappearance
Monday 18 December 2023 04:00 , Matt Mathers
Gaynor Lord eyewitness says she saw ‘calm’ mother-of-three doing yoga pose in park before disappearance
An eyewitness who saw Ms Lord before she went missing has spoken out.
The witness says she saw the missing mother laying down her coat before performing what appeared to be a yoga pose. She said Ms Lord “appeared quite calm” although felt the action was “odd” for the time of day.
Watch below:
Gaynor Lord police give update after body found in search for missing mother
Monday 18 December 2023 03:00 , Matt Mathers
Police have said there is no evidence of third-party involvement after a body was found in the search for missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord.
Norfolk Police said the body of a female was recovered from the River Wensum in Norwich on Friday (15 December), a week after she disappeared.
Two members of the dive team could be seen recovering the body from the river in Norwich on Friday after marking the area of water with an orange buoy.
In a statement to reporters after the discovery, 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.”
Watch the clip here:
Gaynor Lord police give update after body found in search for missing mother
Everything we know about missing mother-of-three
Monday 18 December 2023 02:00 , Matt Mathers
Ms Lord, a retail assistant at the Jarrold department store, went to work as usual on Friday but left early. She was due to finish at 4pm.
She left work via Bedford Street at around 2.45pm. From there, she walked along London Street, Queens Street and towards the city cathedral.
Full report:
Gaynor Lord: Everything we know about missing mother-of-three
What happened to Gaynor Lord’s belongings?
Monday 18 December 2023 01:00 , Matt Mathers
Lydia Patrick reports:
Police found a number of Ms Lord’s belongings scattered in Wensum Park next to the river where they were conducting the main search.
Clothing, a mobile phone and glasses were found dispersed around the park 1.5 miles from her workplace in a department store. Her coat was found in the River Wensum itself.
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley from Norfolk Police said the force had used sonar equipment across the river which was an “extraordinarily challenging environment” for them to work in.
No third-party involvement in death of woman found in river
Monday 18 December 2023 00:01 , Matt Mathers
Detectives investigating the disappearance of mother-of-three Gaynor Lord have said there is no evidence a third party was involved in the death of a woman whose body was found in a river during the search.
The 55-year-old vanished after leaving work in Norwich city centre early at 2.45pm on December 8.
Full report:
Gaynor Lord search: No third-party involvement in death of woman found in river
In pictures: Floral tributes left for Gaynor Lord as body recovered from river to be identified on Sunday
Sunday 17 December 2023 23:00 , Matt Mathers
CCTV shows missing mother’s last known moments
Sunday 17 December 2023 22:00 , Matt Mathers
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.
Watch the clip here:
Gaynor Lord: CCTV shows missing mother’s last known moments
Body pulled from river in search for missing Norwich mother Gaynor Lord
Sunday 17 December 2023 21:00 , Matt Mathers
Specialist divers pulled a body from a river on Friday morning following a week-long search for missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord.
Police have been desperately searching for Lord since last Friday after she failed to return home from work in Norwich city centre.
Athena Stavrou reports:
Body pulled from river following a week-long search for missing mother Gaynor Lord
Friend of missing mother details last call
Sunday 17 December 2023 20:00 , Matt Mathers
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.”
You can listen to the interview here:
Gaynor Lord: Friend of missing mother details last call
In pictures: Floral tributes left for Gaynor Lord as body recovered from river to be identified on Sunday
Sunday 17 December 2023 19:03 , Maira Butt
Floral tributes laid near gates of Wensum Park after discovery of body
Sunday 17 December 2023 18:03 , Maira Butt
Floral tributes to Ms Lord were laid near the gates of Wensum Park after the discovery of a body on Friday.
One of them said: “Gaynor may you be at peace. God bless your family.”
Two members of the dive team could be seen recovering the body from the river in Norwich on Friday morning after marking the area of water with an orange buoy.
At about 12pm, officers could be seen recovering a body from the river in a black bag.
Police previously confirmed they consulted officers from Lancashire Constabulary who worked on the search for Nicola Bulley.
Gaynor Lord search: No third-party involvement in death of woman found in river
Sunday 17 December 2023 17:03 , Maira Butt
Detectives investigating the disappearance of mother-of-three Gaynor Lord have said there is no evidence a third party was involved in the death of a woman whose body was found in a river during the search.
Norfolk Police said a body was found in the River Wensum on Friday.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Saturday morning and found no indication a third party was involved, the force added.
Police said formal identification is due to take place on Sunday and Mrs Lord’s family has been informed of the development.
Gaynor Lord search: No third-party involvement in death of woman found in river
Final CCTV footage of mother-of-three before she went missing
Sunday 17 December 2023 16:03 , Maira Butt
Before Gaynor Lord went missing, CCTV documented her visiting a number of places after leaving early from her workplace.
The footage below shows her last known sighting before she disappeared.
The 55-year-old is seen walking along St Augustine’s Street, Norwich, at 4:01pm on Friday 8 December.
What happened to Gaynor Lord’s belongings?
Sunday 17 December 2023 15:03 , Maira Butt
Lydia Patrick reports:
Police found a number of Ms Lord’s belongings scattered in Wensum Park next to the river where they were conducting the main search.
Clothing, a mobile phone and glasses were found dispersed around the park 1.5 miles from her workplace in a department store. Her coat was found in the River Wensum itself.
Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley from Norfolk Police said the force had used sonar equipment across the river which was an “extraordinarily challenging environment” for them to work in.
Read here for more unanswered questions in the search for mother-of-three.
Gaynor Lord eyewitness says she saw ‘calm’ mother-of-three doing yoga pose in park before disappearance
Sunday 17 December 2023 14:03 , Maira Butt
An eyewitness who saw Ms Lord before she went missing has spoken out.
The witness says she saw the missing mother laying down her coat before performing what appeared to be a yoga pose. She said Ms Lord “appeared quite calm” although felt the action was “odd” for the time of day.
Watch the full statement below.
In pictures: Body found and post-mortem examination conducted in Gaynor Lord search
Sunday 17 December 2023 13:03 , Maira Butt
A body has been found in the search for Gaynor Lord. It is yet to be identified and Norfolk Police have confirmed the identification process will take place on Sunday.
A post-mortem examination conducted on Saturday ruled out any “third-party involvement” and police confirmed they were not treating the death as suspicious.
