DISTRAUGHT pals of Victoria Taylor have been targeted by vile predators and amateur sleuths trying to cash in on the missing mum.
The armchair detectives have been accused of hampering the search for 34-year-old Victoria.
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Mum-of-one Victoria, known to friends as Vixx, was last seen at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, on Monday morning.
As police and local volunteers continued their searches for the care home nurse, there was criticism over online sleuths’ meddling.
Locals have set up a Facebook group with 5,500 members in a bid to track down Victoria.
But the group has been plagued with questions on her mental health and life with fiance Matthew Williams.
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A number of psychics and mediums have been blocked from the platform after promoting telepathy.
Taylor’s neighbour Charlotte Cundill, 30, has known her since school days and has helped to spearhead the search.
Charlotte told how she had been subjected to “a lot of scams” and people “asking for money”.
Writing in the group, Charlotte said: “Mediums and psychics not welcome on page.
“We need facts and facts only right now! Can I please ask that the questions STOP.
“Questions like ‘Where was she last seen?’, ‘What was she wearing?’ ‘Does she drive?’
“All of these questions have been answered somewhere along the page.
“We can’t keep answering them as we have to keep up with everything.”
Baseless theories that Victoria may have left Malton on a train or bus, or booked herself into a hotel, have also been shot down.
Others have disputed the final CCTV spotting of Victoria, at a BP Garage.
The conspiracists have suggested it does not look like her – a wholly inaccurate claim.
Family friend Laura Moran wrote: “The CCTV footage is her. This has come from family and close friends that know her.
“The coat is black not blue. Its pixelated from being taken from a screen. Try taking a picture of your telly.
“Speculation does not help anyone and if it seems an obvious question then the family have already thought it over and over.”
According to residents, Victoria was seen walking towards Norton Hive library on Monday morning.
She was filmed on CCTV wearing a black puffer jacket, jeans and a camouflage cap buying a soft drink in the Marks & Spencer store at a BP garage in Norton at about 11.35am.
Some of her personal possessions were reported to have been found near the River Derwent, which remains the focus of police searches.
Marine search and rescue crews were seen scouring the water’s edge today, using specialist sonar equipment.
Pub barmaid Charlotte told supporters on Facebook that she was remaining hopeful.
She said to Victoria: “So, beautiful, we’re onto day six without seeing your beautiful smile.
“Day six of searching, crying, remembering as much as we can in the search to find you.
“There’s nearly 5 and half thousand people following this page to bring you home, which I will forever be grateful for.”
Charlotte added: “Never in a million years did I think I could get it to blow up this far.
“You are so loved, more than you will ever know. I am on it day and night, as are others.
“There’s people out every night in the hope to catch a glimpse of news of your arrival home. We will get you home.”
Volunteer searchers were seen scouring the riverbank and combing through vegetation near to where Victoria was last seen.
Searches were also undertaking near to the railway line and along riverside fields to the west of the market town. .
Large banners were put up in the town centre to alert thousands of visitors to this weekend’s Malton Food Festival to be vigilant.
Members of Malton Canoe Club also took to the water, currently at a depth of just under four metres, in a bid to help.
Janet Williams, 40, from Scarborough, was among those volunteering their time to search.
She said: “I didn’t want to sit at home and do nothing. I thought I’d lend a hand and try and help because it’s so close to home.
“Everyone is in shock at what has happened but we’re all working together to try and find her.
“We just hope and pray that she can be found safe.”
On Friday, Victoria’s fiance Matthew Williams implored his partner to return home to their daughter Nancy, two.
In a tearful direct message, Matthew told Victoria: “Please come home, babe.
“Come home to Nancy and be the mum that you know you are and can still be.”
He today posted a new picture of Victoria and himself after she had completed a sky dive for Dementia UK.
He said: “We all know how great Vixx was with her charity fundraising and her absolute fearlessness to parachute off a plane for a cause so close to her.
“Love you so much Vixx.”
North Yorkshire Police have said searches will continue over the weekend.
Extensive searches by officers and drones have been carried out, including the use of divers.
Victoria is described as white, around 5ft 2in tall.
She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black Adidas original puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, a grey Jack Wills hooded jumper.
She was carrying a salmon/pink Vans backpack.
Inspector Martin Dennison said: “If you do have any information which can help with the search then please call us on 101.
“Any immediate sightings should be reported to 999.”
Timeline of Victoria’s disappearance
Monday (September 30)
9am
Victoria Taylor is last seen at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire.
She is understood to have been going towards the library in Commercial Street.
11.35am
She goes into a BP garage on Welham Road.
Sister Heidi Baker claims she is also seen heading towards the River Derwent at some point.
Tuesday (October 1)
The search efforts for Victoria ramp up, with a police presence in the area she was last seen and a Facebook search group is set up.
Wednesday (October 2)
The search expands to focus on the river after Victoria’s belongings were found on the riverbank.
Drones are spotted at nearby Malton & Norton Golf Club.
Members of the Facebook group arrange to meet at the train station.
Thursday (October 3)
Police release a CCTV image of Victoria at a BP garage at 11.35am on Monday and confirm her belongings were found on the river bank.
Volunteer searchers from the Facebook group arrange to meet outside a pub at 1pm.
The admin of the Facebook page advises searchers not to go near the river, after being warned off by cops.
Friday (October 4)
Victoria’s partner Matthew Williams issues a plea for the “dedicated” mum to come home.
Her sisters then released a statement saying they feel “sick and lost”.
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