Body found in search for missing woman who waved as she walked towards forest
by Stephen Topping · Manchester Evening NewsA body has been found in the search for a missing woman who walked towards a 'remote' Welsh forest. Police have led a major search operation for Joanne Jones since Monday (October 21).
She was captured waving to a camera as she walked shortly after 10am in a confirmed sighting that day. The 49-year-old had been seen in Vale Gardens, Pontypridd, moments earlier at 9.45am.
It was believed Ms Jones had been heading into the Llanwonno Forest area, Wales Online reports. Worried locals joined the search effort, but on Saturday evening police issued a major update.
"Police officers searching for Joanne Jones, who has been missing since Monday, have recovered the body of a woman," a South Wales Police spokesperson said. "Formal identification is yet to take place. Ms Jones' family and HM Coroner have been informed."
The force thanked the community locally for their support. In Pontypridd on Thursday and Friday many joined the search for Ms Jones, while traders stuck posters of the missing woman in their shop windows.
(Image: South Wales Police)
The forest was still being scoured by specialist police and dogs on Friday. Chief inspector Matt Rowlands said his team had worked 'tirelessly to try and establish the circumstances around her disappearance' that day.
Multiple services were deployed in the search including National Police Air Service, drones, Mountain Rescue volunteers and specialist search dogs. Ms Jones' family has been informed about the body being found.