John
03-18-2009, 07:38 PM
Jude Richmond and her nine-year-old daughter Millie Whitehead-Richmond were last seen at their house in Station Road, South Cerney, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, at 6.30pm on Sunday.
Police searching a lake at the back of their home said divers had recovered the bodies of a young girl and an adult female.
A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said it was too early to say if the deaths were suspicious.
Police believe Mrs Richmond, 41, who ran a florists business with clients who included royalty and celebrities, was vulnerable and possibly depressed.
The police divers were scouring a lake immediately behind Mrs Richmond's home. They were searching an area approximately 25 feet wide and about 15 feet into the lake.
A white tent has been erected at the site and the windows of the family's semi-detached property have been covered with what appears to be plastic.
Officers are waiting to speak to Mrs Richmond's husband, Nick, who is flying back to the UK from Australia.
Millie's father, Neil Whitehead, from London, earlier made a fresh appeal for the pair to contact home and said he understood that Mrs Richmond was having issues with her marriage.
The 54-year-old described his daughter, who had cerebral palsy, as "magical" and said that, when he spoke to his former partner the day before she went missing, she was "calm and sensible".
Officers were carrying out searches along Mrs Richmond's favourite walks and in a nearby lake, involving divers, a search dog and a police helicopter.
The police said a mystery man was seen with Mrs Richmond and Millie on Sunday, with his arms around her affectionately.
He was white, in his 40s, around 6ft and of large build with broad shoulders and dark blond spiky hair.
Appeals for information have led to around 30 calls from members of the public offering information and assistance.
Police searching a lake at the back of their home said divers had recovered the bodies of a young girl and an adult female.
A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said it was too early to say if the deaths were suspicious.
Police believe Mrs Richmond, 41, who ran a florists business with clients who included royalty and celebrities, was vulnerable and possibly depressed.
The police divers were scouring a lake immediately behind Mrs Richmond's home. They were searching an area approximately 25 feet wide and about 15 feet into the lake.
A white tent has been erected at the site and the windows of the family's semi-detached property have been covered with what appears to be plastic.
Officers are waiting to speak to Mrs Richmond's husband, Nick, who is flying back to the UK from Australia.
Millie's father, Neil Whitehead, from London, earlier made a fresh appeal for the pair to contact home and said he understood that Mrs Richmond was having issues with her marriage.
The 54-year-old described his daughter, who had cerebral palsy, as "magical" and said that, when he spoke to his former partner the day before she went missing, she was "calm and sensible".
Officers were carrying out searches along Mrs Richmond's favourite walks and in a nearby lake, involving divers, a search dog and a police helicopter.
The police said a mystery man was seen with Mrs Richmond and Millie on Sunday, with his arms around her affectionately.
He was white, in his 40s, around 6ft and of large build with broad shoulders and dark blond spiky hair.
Appeals for information have led to around 30 calls from members of the public offering information and assistance.