Police issue update after body found during search for Joanne Jones

Police have confirmed that the body of a woman located on Saturday evening has been formally identified as 49-year-old Joanne Jones. South Wales Police has also said that her death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, the police force also expressed their sympathies to Joanne Jones' loved ones. Joanne Jones was last seen at 9.45am on Monday, October 21 in Vale Gardens, Pontypridd, but hadn't been heard from since.

Members of the community joined officers from South Wales Police to help search for Ms Jones, who was believed to have headed towards the Llanwonno Forest area. The forest was scoured by specialist police and dogs as well as concerned friends for several days. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

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On Saturday evening, October 26, the force confirmed that a body of a woman had been found during their search. She has now been formally identified as Joanne Jones.

According to South Wales Police, Joanne's family have expressed their gratitude to all the agencies and members of the local community who have helped to find her over the past week. They now request privacy as they begin to come to terms with their loss.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Hampton said: "I want to express my sympathies to Joanne's family at what is a very sad time for them. I also want to thank our emergency services colleagues and members of the public who assisted in our search effort over the last week. I can also confirm that we are not treating Joanne’s death as suspicious."

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