Video
Video filmed during the search for Elaine Taggart – double or right click on images for full screen in Windows Media Viewer
OFFICERS hunting for a missing Ferring mother are searching the countryside in light of the strong possibility she may no longer be alive.
Click on the green play button to see a video of Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert and people scouring the countryside at Highdown Hill, Goring, for traces of Mrs Taggart.
Elaine Taggart, 48, has been missing since January 3 — making no contact with her family, despite a public appeal from her 90-year-old Chelsea pensioner father, Douglas Hassell, and missing her son Daniel's 14th birthday on March 4.
At 10.30am this morning (Monday, March 31), 30 officers and volunteers from the West Downs Neighbourhood Division, along with trained dogs provided by Surrey Police, searched Highdown Hill on day one of five searches.
The other areas to be searched are in Goring and Ferring.
Click here to see a map of the first search area in relation to where her car was found and her family home.Police fear she may have either been involved in an accident, or become the victim of a serious crime.
Talking from Highdown Hill, DCI Hibbert, who is leading the investigation into Mrs Taggart's disappearance, said: "It is now almost three months since anyone saw Mrs Taggart.
"There has been no trace of her and, with every week that passes, we must now fear the worst.
"She seems to have disappeared completely.
"Today our investigation is moving into a new search phase on the basis she may either have met with an accident or become the victim of a serious crime.
"While this remains a missing person inquiry, we are now confronting the strong possibility Elaine Taggart is no longer alive."
There have been no new leads to spark the search, but Police Search Advisor, Russ Philips, revealed police have used a national database to come up with a possible search area.
The last confirmed sighting of Mrs Taggart was on January 3.
Her red Fiat Punto, index no N988 YJB, was found in Goring Street, not far from Goring railway station, on January 4.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Gordon.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 without leaving their name, or call the charity Missing People on 0500 700 700.
Click here to see Douglas Hassell's appeal for his daughter to return.-------------------------------------
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