THE estranged husband of missing Linda Razzell today joined the chorus of concern for her more than a week after she disappeared.
Mystery still surrounds the whereabouts of the mum-of-four, who vanished after she made her usual Tuesday morning school run from Southfield School, Highworth, to Swindon College, where she is a part-time learning support assistant.
Though her mobile telephone was recovered from an alleyway near to where she parked her red Ford Escort in Alvescot Road, Old Walcot, there has been no trace of the 41-year-old since.
Speaking from his home in Meadow Road, Swindon, 42-year-old Mr Razzell said: "We're all getting increasingly concerned, but we haven't given up hope.
"The police are doing everything they can. I have been interviewed for many hours last week, and again yesterday, and I've given as much information as I can. The police have even gone back through all the people Linda knew at university."
The Razzells have been married for 16 years but, for the last two, have undergone an acrimonious divorce.
"I have no theories but I don't think Linda is in Swindon," Mr Razzell said. "I think she could have gone to Wales where her roots are or possibly France she is a fluent French speaker.
"I think she does not want to be found because, if she did, she would have come forward. I haven't spoken to her since May last year but I understand from her family that she was very stressed and upset about the whole divorce proceedings. We both just wanted it to end."
Mr Razzell said his wife has gone away before, but took her children Catherine, 14, Matthew, 11, Emma, nine, and five-year-old Robin.
"When our marriage broke down in 2000 she went to Wales," he said. "She went to her family roots in Camarthenshire. But she is not a loner and it is unheard of for her to go away by herself."
Mr Razzell said police interviews with him have been very thorough.
"I have been fully co-operative and I think I have almost been eliminated from their inquiries," he said. "My message to Linda would be please get in touch, just let your family know and let people know you are safe and well. You have four lovely children and a new relationship and I hope that, in time, she and I will talk sensibly again.
"Whatever her reason for going I hope she sends a message, whether it is a telephone call or even a text message, to anyone who can pass it on. It is a complete mystery, but Linda should know that the children are fine and they are being looked after."
Linda's Welsh cousin Julie Westmore has come from her home in Carmarthenshire, to look after the Razzell children at their home in Pentylands Close, Highworth, where neighbours wait anxiously for any news.
John Palmer, retired, said: "It is all exceptionally sad and everyone's hoping for a good outcome. It is a small close and there has been a shockwave sent through it. It is particularly sad for the children."
Gail Holt, 34, said everyone is hoping Linda comes home soon.
The mum-of-two said: "My little boy was upset to hear about it. All the children play in the street. There is concern about where she is, it effects everybody."
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "People have been praying for her at St Michael's Church. It is a very, very strange situation. We have heard about that young girl who has gone missing in Surrey, but that's another area. Linda is so close to us."
Swindon police, who staged a reconstruction of Linda's last known journey exactly one week on, stress they are not scaling down their investigation into Linda's disappearance.
Spokesman Alvina Kumar said: "Officers will continue their inquiries over the Easter bank holiday period which will include analysis of information received from the public to determine any fresh lines of inquiry.
"Officers are currently viewing CCTV footage seized from around the town centre area, including bus and railway stations, for any clues as to Linda's mystery disappearance. There have been no reported sightings of her since her disappearance and no withdrawals have been made from her bank account."
Anyone with any information, should contact the police incident room on Swindon 528111. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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