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Missing woman's car found at Pinewood retail park as search refocuses on Nacton area

The blue Toyota Yaris belonging to Christine Murton, 78, has been located at a retail park in Pinewood after a member of the public spotted it on Thursday, with police refocusing their search efforts on the Nacton area, where she was last seen on CCTV.

Christine Murton
Suffolk Constabulary
Christine Murton

Why it matters: The discovery of Christine's car, which had been parked at the retail park for a number of weeks, provides a new line of enquiry as police investigate whether she may have been retracing her steps to locate the vehicle when she disappeared from Rushmere St Andrew on 12 November.

The details: Christine left her house mid-morning on Wednesday, 12 November, but has not been heard from since.

  • She was captured on a door cam walking along Chatsworth Drive in the village just after 10:40 on the day she went missing, and police traced her movements to Purdis Farm Lane a short time later.

  • Officers have been carrying out extensive searches in the Foxhall, Rushmere and Kesgrave areas and have been reviewing hours of CCTV, including walking trails in wider areas.

  • On Wednesday, 19 November, police released CCTV footage which captured Christine walking along a footpath on the edge of Nacton village, behind Amberfield Drive in the direction of Decoy Wood, shortly after 14:45 on the afternoon she went missing.

The car discovery: A member of the public reported on Thursday, 20 November, that Christine's vehicle had been spotted parked in a retail park in the Pinewood area.

Detective Superintendent Tom Pearse said: "The car had been parked at the retail park for a number of weeks. We understand that Christine had been unsure where it had been left and one line of enquiry was that she may have been retracing her steps to locate the vehicle."

CCTV footage of Christine Murton's last known movements
Suffolk Constabulary
CCTV footage of Christine Murton's last known movements

The search continues: Search activity has continued in the Nacton area, with officers reviewing the woodland pathways and walking routes in and around the areas of Decoy Wood and Nacton village.

Extensive search activity has been carried out by police officers and the Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue (SulSAR) team, with people on the ground assisted by drones, the police helicopter, specialist trained dogs from DK9 Search and Rescue charity and the Coastguard.

What they're saying: Det Supt Tom Pearse added: "I would like to pass on my thanks once again for the support we have had from members of the public, specialist groups and from the media in our search to find Christine."

He continued: "We continue to ask residents to check their gardens, their sheds and outbuildings, and to look through any CCTV they may have in case it captures Christine's subsequent movements. We ask that dog walkers be attentive when walking in woodland, near watercourses and wetlands, and to report any information that may assist police."

He added: "We also urge caution for anyone considering starting their own search activity as the recent rain has made some areas hazardous, and the drop in temperature increases the risk of exposure."

Description: Christine is described as white, of slim build, approximately 5ft 7ins in height, with short, dark hair. She was wearing a purple jacket, blue trousers and carrying a large shoulder bag. She also wears glasses.

What to do if you have information: Anyone with information should contact Suffolk Police quoting CAD 257 of 12 November via the force website, by calling 999, or by using the Live Chat service on the Suffolk Constabulary website.

The bottom line: The discovery of Christine's car at Pinewood retail park provides police with a potential explanation for her movements, as search efforts continue to focus on the Nacton area, where she was last seen over a week ago. The search continues.

CCTV released of missing woman from Rushmere St Andrew

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