Urgent search for waitress who vanished before sending ‘cryptic’ texts

An urgent search is underway for an Australian backpacker who disappeared from a London hostel two weeks ago.

Jessica Parkinson, 29, has not been heard from since sending a ‘cryptic’ text message to a colleague on December 11.

She failed to turn up for a 4pm shift that day at barbecue restaurant Texas Joes. When managers messaged asking where she was, she promised to be ‘right there’ by 5pm but never showed.

Police now believe she was last seen in Eastbourne yesterday (Wednesday).

Restaurant owner Joe Walters said: ‘That was very out of character for her. She didn’t show up but sent a cryptic message to another member of staff that evening.’

He told the Daily Mail Jess ‘didn’t mention missing work’ in the message.

When she failed to show up for shifts last Thursday and Friday, Joe contacted her dad in Australia, who has called the police.

Jess had recently been evicted from a flat share and was living in St Christopher’s Inn hostel on Borough High Street, the Mail reports.

She is described as being 5ft 4ins with blue eyes and reddish, blonde hair.

Joe said: ‘She’s very reliable and we have a close relationship. She is very clever, outgoing and friendly.

‘Her two sisters and her father have heard nothing. And I assume the police know she hasn’t used her passport.’

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police are currently investigating the whereabouts of Jessica Parkinson, 29 after she was last seen on Sunday December 8 in Bermondsey.’

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