Detectives investigating the disappearance of missing woman Natalie Jenkins have launched a murder investigation.
The 32-year-old went missing from Middlesbrough in early December and has not been seen in over seven weeks.
Her family, who she is usually in regular contact with, say they have not heard from her since her disappearance.
Officers say Natalie is particularly vulnerable, as she is a sex worker and drug user, and they now believe she may have come to 'serious harm'.
At a news conference in Middlesbrough, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dimelow, of Cleveland Police, said the force was treating her disappearance as a suspected murder.
He told reporters: "Natalie has not been in touch with her family or friends, which is highly unusual.
"She has no access to a bank account, does not have a passport, and had a number of phones over a short period of time which were regularly lost or broken.
"Whilst there is no specific evidence that a crime has been committed, there is no proof of life and in my professional judgment I believe that she has come to serious harm.
"As a result I have classified the case as one of suspected murder and have launched a murder investigation."
CCTV shows Natalie walking along Parliament Road in Middlesbrough at around 7.55pm on December 10.
Mr Dimelow said Ms Jenkins may have been at her home in Thornaby, Teesside, the following day, although this was unconfirmed.
Detectives are looking through 1,000 hours of CCTV as part of their investigations and have spoken to hundreds of people so far.
Natalie's mother, Sylvia Jenkins, said: "I am begging people to come forward. Someone knows what has happened to Natalie and if they come forward to tell police, I would help them.
"We will never stop looking for Natalie and this is never going to go away.
"I am asking for people to contact police if they have seen or heard anything that will bring my beautiful daughter home to me."
Natalie is described as white, of slim build, 5ft 5in, with fair skin and straight brown hair.
She has a tattoo saying "Swann" on her neck and "Swanny" on her wrist.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
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