Police have called off the search for a missing 23-year-old as they said she is likely to have gone into the sea – as her family fear she may have taken her own life.
Estate agent Chelsie Dack was reported missing from her flat in High Street, Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, in the early hours of Monday.
Norfolk Police said CCTV footage showed her walking towards the pier, where her mobile phone was found by a member of the public later that morning.
Officers said CCTV inquiries are continuing but searches have been stood down, with the ‘most likely scenario’ that she entered the water.
Chelsie’s heartbroken family feared she could have taken her own life after disappearing from her home.
Chelsie Dack, 23, was reported missing from her home in Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth policing commander, Superintendent Mike Britton, said on Wednesday: ‘We’ve carried out extensive local searches involving dedicated search teams, dog units, National Police Air Service, the coastguard, RNLI and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue and the coastguard helicopter.
‘Unfortunately, there has been no sign of Chelsie and she hasn’t used her bank accounts or social media accounts since the early hours of Monday morning.
‘This, combined with CCTV inquiries, leads us to believe the most likely scenario is that she has entered the water.
‘We’ve spoken to Chelsie’s family and updated them on the investigation so far.
‘This is clearly a distressing time for them and we will continue to keep them updated of the ongoing work in this case.
‘I would like to take the opportunity to thank the local community for their support in raising awareness of Chelsie’s disappearance and supporting her family, but ask that they continue to observe the Government restrictions o movement.’
On Tuesday evening, Chelsie’s mother Dawn Howell shared an online post by Emma Halls, an administrator of the Find Chelsie Dack Facebook page, which has more than 11,000 members.
It said Chelsie’s family had asked to update members after police and the family discussed ‘the full circumstances surrounding Chelsie’s disappearance’.
‘As a result, it’s with a very deep heart that we need to let you all know that is strongly believed Chelsie has taken her own life,’ the post said.
Volunteers from Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue combed the beach at Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, in search of the missing 23-year-old
Police believe Chelsie, who works as a sales negotiator for Howards estate agents in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and also as a part time nail technician, may have headed to the nearby fast-flowing River Yare or the seafront area
‘The family are together and heartbroken, they are overwhelmed by all the support and love from friends, family and the community.
‘They ask that you respect their privacy at this very sad time, but to know that they are still holding on to a glimmer of hope.
‘Love and best wishes. They thank each and every one of us in helping find our beautiful Chelsie.’
Police said Chelsie was reported missing from her home in Gorleston High Street at 3am on Monday.
On Monday, officers, along with the coastguard, RNLI and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue, carried out searches in Gorleston, assisted by the coastguard helicopter.
Police and volunteers continued their search along the beach for Chelsie after she was reported missing at 3am on Monday
Searches continued on Tuesday with a team of officers, volunteers from lowland search and rescue and the police drone unit, which were focused on the seafront area of Gorleston.
Detectives also made CCTV inquiries.
The force said in a statement on Tuesday morning: ‘Chelsie’s disappearance is out of character and as more time passes, police are becoming increasingly concerned for a welfare.’
Chelsie, who worked for an estate agency and as a part-time as a nail technician, is described as white, slim, and 5ft 7in with pink shoulder length hair.
Anyone with information should contact Norfolk Police on 101.
The mother of the missing 23-year-old who disappeared from her Norfolk home told how she was ‘totally heartbroken’ as a desperate search for her continued.
Volunteers from the Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue continued their search for a second day and walked up and down beach areas in a search pattern, assisted by a police drone team
Volunteers have also been sticking hundreds of posters on lamp posts, gates and shops in the area
Officers have taken to social media to try and discourage friends of Chelsie from launching mass searches for her due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Detectives are also carrying out inquiries to see if there is any CCTV footage of her taken by cameras in shops, business or from homes which she may have walked past.
Chelsie works as a sales negotiator for Howards estate agents in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and also as a part time nail technician
A spokesperson for Howards said: ‘Her colleagues have joined the search and are desperately praying for her safe return.’
Chelsie’s mother said on Monday: ‘I cannot get my head around this. It’s very out of the ordinary as she is the most bubbliest person.
‘She really is so happy and cheerful. I’ve got no idea at all why she might have gone missing. We were texting last night and she seemed absolutely fine.
‘Hopefully someone will find her safe and well as I just want her back.’
Chelsie is described as white, of slim build, about 5ft 7in, with pink shoulder length hair
Mrs Howell, who also lives in Gorleston, said she did not believe that her daughter had become depressed due to the coronavirus lockdown.
She added: ‘I don’t think it was anything to do with that. She was happy. We just don’t understand it.’
In a Facebook post as the search for Chelsea got underway, she said: ‘My daughter has gone missing, and I’m out of my mind with worry.
‘Everyone is out looking including police. Please could anyone who has seen or had contact with Chelsie please pm me. share share share…..’
Chelsie’s sister Olivia Dack added in another post: ‘Can anyone that has had recent contact with my sister Chelsie Dack please message me or call me! Please share x’
Chelsie showed no sign of being under stress in her most recent Facebook post on Sunday when she thanked a person who had found her missing driving licence in the street and posted it back to her.
Earlier in the day she also posted two selfies of herself smiling and sticking her tongue out, prompting her mother to reply ‘Beautiful’.
Olivia also thanked members of the Find Chelsie group for their sympathy and their offers of help.
She said: ‘We’d all like to thank you for your efforts so far but please be mindful of social distancing rules as we need to make sure we are still keeping safe and allowing the police to do their job.
‘Please also remember to keep speculating to an absolute minimum and to keep this page for support only to respect the family’s privacy at this time.’
She added: ‘We are arranging for posters to be dropped off at four hubs in different areas of Gorleston for people to grab whilst out on their daily exercise and to take home and put in cars and windows.’
Anyone with information should contact Norfolk Police immediately on 101.
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details