Ponds and pits scoured in search for missing mother

Mother-of-one Danuta Doma-galska, 27, has not been seen since August 6 when she turned up for work at New Moor Farm, near Walworth, on the outskirts of Darlington, County Durham.

After days of not turning up for work, bosses were unhappy with the explanation put forward by her brother, Piotr Lawniczak, and they called police, but he left the property before officers could speak to him.

Mrs Domagalska’s husband Marcin, who also lived and worked on the farm, was being interviewed by police officers as a witness.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Green told a news conference in the village: “Her husband is working very closely with us. He is very concerned, upset and worried. He is behaving as anyone would.

“If Piotr is listening I would ask him to come forward both for his sake and the sake of his family. It would be very helpful to his family and us if we could find out what has happened to Danuta as quickly as possible.”

Around 20 officers were searching the dairy farm which also operates a popular ice cream business.

Specialists in searching water from neighbouring Northumbria Police were called in to join the hunt, scouring wildlife ponds and slurry pits on the property which stretches over several hundred acres.

Mr Green said Mrs Domagalska’s disappearance was unusual.

“She could be alive, she could be fit and well elsewhere, and she could be with someone else.

“But we have to be conscious of the fact that she might no longer be alive and that’s why we are searching the farm in great detail and will be for some time.”