Police find body after frantic bid to find hiker who went missing

Police have finally found a body in the frantic search for a hiker who disappeared smiling and waving into a Welsh forest six days ago.

Helicopters, sniffer dogs and drones were some of the resources deployed as part of the bid to locate 49-year-old Joanne Jones who failed to come home after heading out on Monday morning.

Mrs Jones had set out with walking boots, a raincoat, and rucksack as she walked along the steep Graigwen Road which links the market town of Pontypridd, South Wales, with the St Gwynno forestry in nearby Llanwonno.

Police released dashcam images of the hiker which showed her smiling and waving heading towards the forestry beauty spot which covers 2,644 hectares and overlooks the Aberdare Valley.

Following the efforts of rescue experts, dozens of volunteers, helicopters, police dogs and drones, the body of a woman has now been recovered - though formal identification is yet to take place.

South Wales Police said: 'Police officers searching for Joanne Jones, 49, who has been missing from her home since Monday have recovered the body of a woman.

'Mrs Jones' family and H M Coroner have been informed. We thank the local community for all their assistance.'

Amanda Ellis, a local councillor who was among the volunteers that helped with the search, had described previously how 'the community has a history of helping in crisis, they always come together and they've done themselves proud again this week'.

She added: 'People want to help - they know that somebody is missing. I think Joanne was known to people in Ynysybwl as well as Pontypridd and it's so close to home.'

Meanwhile, local Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones has pleaded with the public to 'avoid any speculation'.

She said: 'This is a devastating update and my heart goes out to everyone impacted by this news.

'Please avoid any speculation that could potentially cause harm to the persons loved ones and our community until the facts and evidence have been established. 

'We need to allow the police and H M Coroner to conduct their investigations.

'If anyone needs support at this difficult time please don't hesitate to reach out.'

Police issued footage of Joanne on the day she disappeared that appeared to show her smiling as she walked up towards the forest.

A large team of volunteers met at nearby Ynysybwl Rugby Club on Friday where they were briefed on joining in the search for Joanne.

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CCTV shows Joanne Jones, 49, smiling and waving before she heads into forest six days ago

They scoured fields and woods as well as urban areas in the village and scent dogs and police on horseback also joined the search.

Dashcam images confirm a sighting of Joanne walking on Graigwen Road towards Ynysybwl around 10.05am on the day she was reported missing, Monday October 21. A further witness saw her on the same day.

Police previously said they were 'working tirelessly' to find Joanne and had an 'open mind' regarding her disappearance.

A spokesman for South Wales police had added: 'Joanne, 49, was last seen around 9.45am on Monday morning, October 21, in Vale Gardens, Pontypridd but has not been heard from since. It is believed she headed onto Graigwen Road in the direction of Llanwonno Forest.

'CCTV shows her wearing a dark green coat, black rucksack, leggings, and walking boots.'

The rugged hillside in Llanwonno is home to a handful of sheep farms and the 2,644 hectare St Gwynno Forest which is popular with walkers and cyclists.

The legendary 18th century runner Guto Nyth Bran, is buried in the St Gwynno church in the village where a statue to him stands outside.