Helicopter scours sea off Tenerife after Brit Amy Gerard vanished after getting separated from ‘boyfriend’ on night out
Amy Gerard, 28, was last seen just after midnight on Thursday outside the popular Molly Malone pub in the city of Puerto de la Cruz where she lives.
The Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports Brits in crisis overseas, said Amy had left the bar with “her boyfriend” but they soon become separated.
Now a chopper from the emergency services has been seen flying at low level searching the waters near Punta Brava down the coast from the pub.
The National Police has revealed two boats are also involved in the maritime search.
A spokesman for the Lucie Blackman Trust said: “Amy was on a night out with work friends for a birthday.
"She left the bar with her boyfriend but they became separated.
“Amy has not been seen or heard from since and this is extremely out of character for Amy.”
Friend Pablo Joury has now urged: “People in or around Tenerife, please check your phone for any pictures/Instagram/Snapchat to help find Amy.
“Maybe on the background of one of your photos!!!
“Last seen Thursday just after midnight at the Molly Malone Irish bar in Tenerife. If you were there or around the area please check your phone.”
Police are checking Amy’s bank account and mobile phone records. A specialist murder squad has also been briefed.
Sources close to the investigation have admitted the disappearance of Amy – who trains killer whales at marine theme park Loro Parque – is “concerning”.
Relatives including her mum Julie and sister Chloe have flown to Tenerife from their home town of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, with Chloe’s fiance Mike Dolan.
They have also described Amy’s disappearance as “totally out of character” and say they are concerned for her safety.
Mr Dolan, 35, said yesterday the family were still trying to piece together the events of the night Amy was last seen.
He said: “Amy wasn’t a big drinker. She had to be in good shape for her work so like her colleagues who work with animals, she just didn’t do the party lifestyle.
“We’ve ruled out the idea she might have come out the pub the worse for wear and fallen somewhere on her way home because that was just not Amy.
“She was with a female friend as far as we understand but we haven’t been able to speak to her yet.
“We would urge anyone who has seen Amy or has any information on what happened that night or where she might be to contact police.
“We’re not exactly sure at the moment what police are doing but we know they’re taking it seriously and are looking for her and trying to find out what’s happened.”
University graduate Amy was officially reported as missing to police on Saturday morning when she failed to turn up for work.
But friends called cops on Friday to raise their concerns and were told to wait 24 hours before filing a missing persons’ report.
A colleague at Loro Parque admitted co-workers were very concerned.
She said: “What’s happened is very strange. She was fine at work and gave no indication anything might be worrying her.”
Amy has been using her maiden surname name Gerard in recent months – the one featuring on the missing posters – rather than her married name.
Personal trainer Ryan Docherty, who she is still understood to be married to, is thought to be back in the UK.
He has also shared appeals for information on Amy online.
Amy’s friends and loved ones are handing out flyers and speaking to shopkeepers to see if they have any information or CCTV that might help in the search for her.
Mr Dolan said: “We’re doing everything we can possibly think of.”
The Lucie Blackman Trust described the missing Brit by her full married name Amy Louise Docherty rather than Amy Louise Gerard as on the missing poster.
She was last seen wearing black, skinny jeans, Ugg boots, a dark green long-sleeved top, with a white bow on the back, and a red, shiny bomber jacket.
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