Fears grow for missing woman, 49, last seen walking into ‘dangerous’ forest as heavy rain set to hit

FEARS are growing for a missing woman who was last seen walking into a “dangerous” forest as heavy rain is set to hit.

Joanne Jones, 49, was dressed in walking boots, a raincoat and rucksack as she headed along a steep road towards a beauty spot forest on Monday morning but failed to come home.

Cops have issued new CCTV in an attempt to solve the mystery disappearance.

A huge search has been launched including helicopters, police dogs, drones, and mountain rescue experts as officers say they are "working tirelessly" to find her.

She was seen walking up Graigwen Road which links the market town of Pontypridd, South Wales, with the St Gwynno forestry in nearby Llanwonno.

Police say new CCTV shows her near the Brynfynnon Hotel opposite the St Gwynno church in Llanwonno.

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

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

Phillip Evans, 70, said he wanted to help the "community-minded" effort.

He said: "If we can search these areas it helps the police to use their assets to search other areas.”

But volunteers have been warned not to place themselves in danger during 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, October 21.

A further witness saw her at the top end of Graigwen Road, near the Brynffynon Hotel, Ynysybwl, around 12.45pm the same day.

Chief Inspector Matt Rowlands said: “We are seriously concerned for the welfare of Joanne as she has now not been seen since Monday.

“Since Joanne was reported missing to us, we have had officers working tirelessly to try and establish the circumstances around her disappearance and to understand where she went.

"We are keeping an open mind about what has happened to Joanne and are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries.

“We are trying to piece together a timeline of her movements, and any information, no matter how small, could help us in our investigation.

“We are appealing for anyone who has dash-cam or doorbell footage in the areas of Graigwen/ Llanwonno/ Perthcelyn/ Ynysybwl from 9.30am on Monday morning until now to come forward.

“I understand how distressing this is for Joanne’s family and friends, and we are grateful for the ongoing support offered by the local community over the past few days.”

South Wales Police previously said: "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 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.