Man who disappeared outside hospital 18 months ago found alive after family searched 'every day'

Shane Barnett was last seen leaving the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on May 7, 2023 but he has now been found, with his family sharing their delight and relief at the news

The family of a man who went missing in May 2023 have spoken of their delight and relief after he was found alive following 18 months of frantic searching.

Shane Barnett was seen on CCTV leaving the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on May 7 last year and then disappeared. His devastated family spent countless hours, alongside South Wales Police, searching for the 49-year-old but for a year and a half there had been no confirmed sightings.

South Wales Police issued an update on Sunday, however, to share the good news that Shane had been found. Writing on Facebook, the force said: "Shane Barnett, 49, who was reported as missing in May last year has been found. Thank you to everyone who shared our appeals."

Shane's family had previously issued a number of emotional appeals in the hope someone might have information about his whereabouts. His mother, Diane Bush, took to Facebook on Sunday to thank those who played a part in locating her son, WalesOnline reports.

Commenting on South Wales Police's Facebook post, Diane said: "I cannot thank you all for all your shares over the last 18mths, and as for the police, I cannot thank you enough, you have never given up looking and followed up on any leads, and in the end you found him, thank you so much."

Shane's sister, Nicola Casey, added: "Thankyou so much South Wales Police Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan and to everyone that shared the posts for the last 18 months. To all the families that have a missing relative my brother is proof that there is hope don't give up searching."

Nicola earlier this year revealed police had told the family that Shane, who grew up in Bettws, may no longer be alive. The family did not give up hope, though, and searched every day in the hope of finding him.

Shane's sister told WalesOnline at the time: "I have spent hours daily searching every inch of Cardiff since he went missing. I've put posters up, I've posted his picture on any Cardiff social media pages I could find. I've had many people message me with possible sightings which I'm so grateful for, I've gone there to check and unfortunately it hasn't been him but I won't stop checking."

Diane previously admitted she would "never stop looking" for Shane and described South Wales Police's response as "amazing". The case was even featured on Channel 5's Vanished: The Search for Britain's Missing where Diane spoke directly to her son.

She said: "We miss you, we love you and we are desperately trying to find you. Please get in touch. We've searched high and low, all weathers. We won't give up on you - never. I know you like to prove people wrong, and I've been told there's a possibility that you may no longer be alive. So prove them wrong; show us you're alive.

"I will come anywhere you want to, to see you. Anywhere at all. Just please get in touch. You have no idea how much you are missed and loved."