Five unanswered questions as hunt for missing bride-to-be Victoria Taylor continues

Nurse Victoria Taylor has not been seen for five days

A hunt is underway to locate a missing mum who vanished five days ago. Victoria Taylor was last spotted at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, at about 9am on Monday, September 30.

The 34-year-old was then captured on CCTV two hours later buying a soft drink at a BP garage. But she has not contacted her family or friends since then, sparking a huge search in the area.

Police are continuing to search for the missing nurse - but several questions remain unanswered as officers ramp-up efforts to find her. She is described as white and about 5ft 6ins tall.

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Victoria was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves and a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper. Police released CCTV footage of Victoria at a BP garage, on Welham Road in the Norton area of Malton, at 11.35am on the day she went missing.

Where was Victoria going?

Victoria was last ar her home in Malton at 9am on Monday, Mirror reports. She was on the phone, while her fiance Matthew and their two-year-old daughter were also there.

Matthew and Victoria then left with their daughter to visit his parents. But Matthew's sister Heidi Baker said Victoria then left his parents' house and did not return.

A woman saw her crossing the railway crossing near aLidlstore, in Welham Road, between 11.30 to 12pm, heading towards the River Derwent. Another woman then saw her coming down the path leading to the river.

Locals said they saw her passing the Riverside Playground and walking along a thickly overgrown path next to the river between 11.30am and noon.

Why are police searching the area?

Police were pictured scouring a section of River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire, as part of search efforts. Marine and Underwater Search Units took to the river's banks in kayaks, while missing posters have been put up around the market town.

Police have told the public that they should expect to see an increased presence in the town. 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."

Why were her belongings found discarded?

Victoria's belongings are believed to have been found near the banks of the River Derwent, which is currently being searched. While officers are yet to have found any trace of the missing mum, it may suggest that Victoria is in the area.

The soft drinks bottles bought by Victoria at the BP garage were found by her family. Further along the path, police found a green baseball cap she had been wearing at the garage.

They also found a salmon pink Vans rucksack lying in the open.

Why was her social media still active?

Friends have claimed missing Victoria's Instagram page was 'active' in the hours after she vanished. More than 4,000 people have joined a Facebook page to help in the search.

There is currently no explanation as to why her Instagram account would have still been active. Friends said Victoria's family may have been using her Instagram profile, which led to the account showing as 'active' - but relatives confirmed they were not using her accounts.

Could she have travelled outside of the Malton area?

So far, there has been no evidence to suggest that Victoria left the area. A review of footage at the local train and bus station has taken place.

But there are no signs she boarded any buses or trains. There has also been no activity on her cash card since she was seen buying the soft drinks at the BP garage.

Police say their search is focused within the local area.