Fears are growing for missing 49-year-old woman, last seen walking towards ‘dangerous’ forest as heavy rain approaches

FEARS are growing over a missing woman who was last seen walking towards a “dangerous” forest as heavy rain is approaching.

Joanne Jones, 49, was wearing hiking boots, a raincoat and a backpack as she headed up a steep path toward a beautiful forest Monday morning, but couldn’t return home.

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Police have issued new CCTV in a bid to solve the mysterious disappearance.

An intense search has been launched that includes helicopters, police dogs, dronesand mountain rescue Experts and officials alike say they are “working tirelessly” to find her.

She was seen walking along Graigwen Road, which links the southern market town of Pontypridd. Welshwith St Gwynno Forest in nearby Llanwonno.

Police say new CCTV shows her near the Brynfynnon Hotel, opposite St Gwynno’s Church in Llanwonno.

A team of volunteers met at nearby Ynysybwl Rugby Club today, where they were told how to join the search for Joanne.

They scoured the fields and forests, as well as the urban areas of the town, and sniffer dogs and police on horseback joined the search.

Phillip Evans, 70, said he wanted to help in the “community-minded” effort.

He said: “If we can search these areas, we will help the police use their resources to search other areas.”

But volunteers have been warned not to put themselves in danger during the search.

Dashcam footage confirms a sighting of Joanne walking along Graigwen Road towards Ynysybwl at around 10.05am on the day she was reported missing, October 21.

Another witness saw her at the top end of Graigwen Road, near the Brynffynon Hotel, Ynysybwl, at around 12.45pm the same day.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Rowlands said: “We are seriously concerned for Joanne’s welfare as we have not seen her since Monday.

“Since Joanne was reported missing to us, we have had officers working tirelessly to try to establish the circumstances of her disappearance and understand where she went.

“We remain open-minded about what happened to Joanne and continue to carry out thorough investigations.

“We are trying to reconstruct a timeline of their movements, and any information, no matter how small, could help us in our investigation.

“We are appealing to anyone with dashcam or doorbell camera footage in the Graigwen/ Llanwonno/ Perthcelyn/ Ynysybwl areas from 9.30am on Monday morning until now to come forward.

“I understand how distressing this is for Joanne’s family and friends, and we are grateful for the continued support offered by the local community over the past few days.”

South Wales Police previously said: “Joanne, 49, was last seen at around 9.45am on Monday morning, October 21, in Vale Gardens, Pontypridd, but has not been heard from again. since then.

“It is believed he headed towards Graigwen Road towards Llanwonno Forest.

“CCTV cameras show her wearing a dark green coat, a black backpack, tights and walking boots.”

Llanwonno’s steep hillside is home to some sheep farms and the 2,644 hectare St Gwynno Forest, popular with walkers and cyclists.

The legendary 18th century runner Guto Nyth Bran is buried in St Gwynno’s Church in the village, where there is a statue dedicated to him outside.

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