Cops find body in river during massive three-week search for missing woman

12 January 2024 , 16:23

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Lucy Charles went missing on December 22 (Image: North Wales Daily Post)

A body has been found in the search for missing Lucy Charles.

North Wales Police confirmed the body of a woman had been found in the River Dee during a search by local officers and the North West Underwater Search Team. Formal identification is yet to take place, but Ms Charles' family have been informed. Chief Inspector Stephen Roberts said her family were being supported by specialist officers.

He added: "The local coroner has also been informed. My thoughts are with Lucy's family and friends at this difficult time." Ms Charles, 39, went missing from Bangor-on-Dee near Wrexham on the evening of December 22. A major search was launched, with police confirming last week that personal items belonging to Ms Charles were found during a search on the bank of the River Dee.

She had last been seen at 5.34 pm on December 22 when she was captured on CCTV walking past the Royal Oak pub on Station Road. Police, mountain rescue teams, the fire service and the police helicopter were all involved in the search, with the police underwater search team carrying out "extensive" searches of the River Dee.

A CCTV still from the last time Ms Charles was seen walking past a pub (North Wales Police)

It comes just hours after detectives yesterday released a still from CCTV of her from the night she disappeared wearing this outfit. Officers had discovered personal items of Ms Charles’ on the bank of the river while the force carried out an intensive search of the area. The personal effects were found close to the Severn Trent Water Treatment Works.

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Search team's efforts have been hampered by the weather, which has caused the river to come close to breaking its banks. Police warned the public about getting too close to the edge of the waterway, which was in a "very dangerous state of flooding". Speaking at the time of the disappearance Mr Roberts said it had been a “particularly difficult time” for Ms Charles’ family “given that we just had the festive period.”

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact North Wales Police urgently via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 46914.

Ryan Merrifield