Body found in river close to home of missing woman

Police divers spotted the body of a woman in the River Ouse near to Skeldergate Bridge close to the city centre at about 11.30am yesterday.

While it has not been formally identified, it is thought to be that of Mandy Bishop, who sparked a major North Yorkshire Police investigation when she disappeared after having not left her house for more than 13 years.

Senior detectives had expressed their growing fears for the safety of the 34-year-old after forensic tests positively linked traces of blood found at her home to the missing woman.

Police revealed that Miss Bishop had previously threatened to harm herself.

She had been the full-time carer for her mother, who is seriously ill with cancer, along with their four dogs at their home close to the city centre and overlooking York's medieval walls.

A family friend reported Miss Bishop's disappearance to police at 1pm last Saturday, although officers believe she may have gone missing on Monday, March 22.