Stephanie Thomson disappeared on Thursday, January 29, from the campsite Les Vigeres in Chalard where she lived with husband Ken
Stephanie, left, and her daughter Tracy who is holding on to hope after a potential sighting(Image: Tracy Thomson)
A glimmer of hope has emerged in the search for a much-loved wife and mum who went missing in France more than ten weeks ago. Stephanie Thomson, 72, originally from Redcar, was last seen by husband Ken on Thursday, January 29, at their motorhome at the Camping Les Vigères site, in Le Chalard region.
That morning they had visited a local supermarket before returning to the site. Ken fell asleep and when he woke, Stephanie had disappeared.
Extensive searches have been carried out and appeals have been issued as distraught Ken and his daughter Tracy Thomson desperately wait for news. Tracy told Teesside Live on Friday a woman had contacted her to say she had seen Stephanie at a clinic in the town of Limoges – 46km away from the campsite – in early February.
The potential sighting, possibly on the 2nd or 3rd, has been passed on to the gendarmerie who have told Tracy they will investigate. “Someone messaged me on Facebook and said I’ve seen your mum in a clinic somewhere in Limoges,” said Tracy, 55.
“I checked through mum’s paperwork and she has been to that clinic before. On that day she didn’t have an appointment.
“So I don’t know whether it is something or nothing, but I’m just trying to stay positive in the hope that it might be. I’ve passed that information on to the gendarme and asked if they would look into it for me.
“They said they will but I’ve heard nothing back yet. It’s probably the best lead we’ve had and it makes it that little bit easier to stay positive.”
Stephanie and husband Ken were keen walkers in the local area(Image: Tracy Thomson)
Map showing the Camping les Vigeres site where Stephanie and Ken live(Image: Google Maps)
Stephanie and Ken were well-known among the motorhoming community, having travelled around extensively. They loved to walk the forest paths around Chalard and Ladignac Le Long areas but had to stop around Christmas time when Ken was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Having been married for 56 years, Tracy fears her mum may not have been able to cope with Ken’s diagnosis, and potentially suffered a breakdown. Stephanie did not take any belongings, including cash, cards or her mobile phone when she left their motorhome that day.
Extensive searches of tracks and lakes, with drones, divers and a helicopter, have been carried out in the area surrounding the campsite. Cadaver dogs, which search for dead bodies, have also been used but brought back no clues.
Tracy said police have told her the search is going to be widened in the next week or so. She is praying her mum is still alive and may have just needed time away for herself.
“That’s where my heart is going at the moment – that she’s gone somewhere to help herself heal, which is why she isn’t getting in touch with us because she needs that time. That is what I am holding on to.” she said.
“I’m holding up. I don’t know how I am to be honest.”
Stephanie Thomson wearing the light blue jacket she was wearing when she went missing(Image: Tracy Thomson)
Ken has been receiving chemotherapy treatment while trying to cope with the disappearance of his wife. Tracy has been travelling back and forth to France to support her dad and try to find answers as to what happened to her mum.
She works as a teaching assistant at Beverley School in Middlesbrough and also rescues cats. She has been given time away from work but says she needs to return to be able to pay bills for her house and cats, as well as covering the cost of travelling to and from France.
A motor homing group, Motorhome Fun, has set up a fundraising page to support Tracy and help her pay for flights as she travels to and from France. Tracy said she was “humbled” by the gesture which has so far raised almost £4,000 to help the family.
A poster which has been distributed as the search continues(Image: Tracy Thomson)
“I just cried and cried because these people don’t me,” said Tracy. “It means so much to us.
“I’m going to try to go back to work because I’m on phased return but I’m not in a good place to be honest. I’m going to use that money to help top up my wages if I can’t, so at least I can keep coming back to look after dad because that is what is keeping him going.”
Anyone who has heard from Stephanie or has information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche police on +33 555 750 036. She is described as of slim build and she was wearing a light blue down jacket, dark trousers and black or grey boots
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