06 March 2023 , 11:40
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A young man who died in a horror crash during a night out was the son of ex-footballer Leon Jeanne.
Police hunting for five missing friends found the car they were travelling in in the St Mellons area of Cardiff at around midnight last night.
Rafel Jeanne, 24, was among the three people officers found dead at the scene.
His dad Leon, 42, played as a winger for QPR and Cardiff City before moving around a host of other clubs and retiring in 2015.
The group of friends were last seen around 2am on Saturday morning, with the search lasting 48 hours.
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Rafel, from Cardiff, was one of three named as the dead, including Eve Smith, 21, who appeared in a Sky reality TV show after her sister was killed by a drug driver, and Darcy Ross, 21.
Leon Jeanne played for Cardiff City between 2001-2002 (South Wales Echo)
Leon Jeanne played for a host of clubs between 1997 and 2015Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. The friends had been pictured together in a Snapchat post on the night out before tragedy struck.
They are understood to have partied in popular bar Muffler in Newport before going to clubbing hotspot Trecco Bay in Porthcawl.
The scene on the A48 after the car was discovered (Getty Images)Family of those missing had shared CCTV grabs of the Volkswagen Tiguan they were travelling in on the night of the disappearance.
Gwent Police confirmed that three of those who were reported missing have been found dead.
But the force has not confirmed their identities.
Sophie Russon, Eve Smith and Darcy RossPolice believe the car was involved in a crash and came off the A48.
Eve's sister Lauren Doyle updated a Facebook post in the early hours of Monday to confirm she was among those to have died.
"I will not comment on anyone other than Eve Smith to confirm that she has been confirmed as deceased," she wrote.
Shane Loughlin (Media Wales)"Thank you for your support and shares I won’t be answering messages please allow us some time as a family to digest this terrible news."
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Friend of the group, Billys Charlotte, wrote: “Forever young god has gained another 3 Angels please keep all family & friends in your prayers through this hard time god bless RIP Eve, Darcy and Rafel.”
The scene in the St Mellons area of Cardiff where the friends' car was found (PA)Rafel’s friend Nicola Blackmore described him as a “lovely kid”.
Specialist officers are supporting the families of those involved and inquiries are ongoing.
Police are continuing investigations into the tragedy (PA)In a tweet, Gwent Police said: "If you can help call us on 101, or send us a direct message, quoting 2300071791.
"The case has been referred to the IOPC in line with normal procedures."