A woman who went missing from a quiet village on the Welsh-English border just before Christmas probably fell to her death in a flood-swollen river, police fear.
Lucy Charles, 39, described by colleagues as ‘the most welcoming of people’ and someone who had ‘a big smile and laughter after every other sentence’, has been missing from Bangor-on-Dee, near Wrexham, for exactly two weeks.
Yesterday police revealed they were growing ‘increasingly concerned for the safety’ after recovering some of her personal possessions on the banks of the River Dee, which is currently almost double its depth of just a few weeks ago.
Now it has emerged that their ‘working hypothesis’ is that Ms Charles fell into the River Dee accidentally on December 22 and was swept to her death.
The belongings indicate she did not enter the water deliberately, sources said today, and there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
Her social media shows a busy social life with recent foreign holidays and nights out with her partner, Ian Beech.
Lucy Charles, 39, described by colleagues as ‘the most welcoming of people’ and someone who had ‘a big smile and laughter after every other sentence’, has been missing for two weeks
Poignantly her last public post three days before she was last seen read simply: ‘I love my mummy.’
Ms Charles is understood to have worked in pubs in the scenic border village of Bangor-on-Dee and was known to enjoy reading a book beside the broad river.
She is said to know the area well and was seen earlier on the day of her disappearance at a local shop.
However the last known sighting of her – at 5.34pm on December 22 – was after dark, and she was wearing a high-visibility jacket for reasons which have not been explained.
Efforts to search the nearby stretch of water have been hampered by heavy rain in recent weeks which have raised the level by over 6ft, with the current making it too dangerous for police divers to enter.
Relatives were said to be clinging to hope that Ms Charles will be found alive, while preparing for the worst.
Earlier this week her mother Vicky posted on Facebook: ‘Lucy is still missing. Please, please keep sharing. I love you so much.’
Asking locals in Bangor-on-Dee to help, she wrote: ‘Just check any dash cam or Ring door bells and keep everything crossed for Lucy’s return.’
In response, friend Julie Quinn wrote: ‘I can’t imagine what Vicky is going through at this moment. I hope and pray Lucy is safe.’
Sharing the appeal on Wednesday, chef Brian Mellor wrote: ‘You might remember her as the most welcoming of people at The Sandstone Inn, that big smile and laughter after every other sentence.
Police have said that their ‘working hypothesis’ is that Ms Charles fell into the River Dee accidentally on December 22 and was swept to her death
Anyone who thinks they might have seen Lucy Charles on December 22 is asked to contact North Wales Police
‘She was also part of the cookery school family working with Mary and I, post service we would sit together reflecting on the evening’s events and the state of hospitality in general.
‘Please share if you can, we all want you home mate.’
Today Ms Charles’ partner shared the anguish of her friends and family as they wait for updates.
‘The police have been keeping us informed on a daily basis,’ said Mr Beech, who lives with Ms Charles in the next village.
‘They’re doing great work.
‘The river’s as high as I’ve ever seen it. When it gets flooded like this it’s almost impossible to get into the water.
‘Sadly I don’t think anything will be found until the river starts to go down.’
The water level in the Dee was recorded at an average of 6.84m (22ft 5in) on the day Ms Charles was last seen, 2m (6ft 6in) deeper than at the start of September.
Yesterday that had surged to 8.9m (29ft 2in), one of the highest readings in the past 12 months.
‘It’s been very difficult to get police divers into the river so they’re having to search the area with boats instead,’ a source said.
‘The water coming down the river is faster and wider than normal, and it’s also spreading out into nearby undergrowth.
‘Hopefully the level will drop over the next few days and they can establish exactly what happened.’
North Wales Police have not given details of the personal effects of Ms Charles which has been found.
But they are understood to support the hypothesis that she somehow slipped in accidentally and was tragically swept to her death.
On her own Facebook profile, Ms Charles has shared multiple updates from the Royal Oak pub, situated close to where she was last seen.
She also details meeting up with relatives, visiting beauty spots, going to gigs and a trip to the Canary Islands last October.
Ms Charles was last seen wearing a navy padded coat, hi-vis vest, khaki-coloured leggings and black boots.
Lucy Charles, 39, was last seen on CCTV footage walking past the Royal Oak pub (pictured) which was captured on December 22 last year
Renewing their appeal for public help yesterday, North Wales Police warned against getting too close to the River Dee, which they said is in a ‘very dangerous state of flooding at this time’.
Chief Inspector Stephen Roberts said: ‘It has been a particularly difficult time for Lucy’s family, especially given that we just had the festive period.
‘During the last two weeks we have carried out extensive inquiries and searches of both the river Dee and the local area.
‘Our searches continue and Lucy’s family are being kept informed. My thoughts remain with Lucy’s family at this difficult time.’
He also said yesterday evening: ‘Lucy was last seen on the 22nd of December in Station Road, Bangor-on-Dee at 5.34pm when she was captured on CCTV walking past the Royal Oak.
‘Since this time extensive searches have taken place which have led us to find personal items of Lucy’s on the bank of the River Dee close to the Severn Trent Water Treatment Works. During the last two weeks we have carried out extensive enquiries and searches of both the river Dee and the local area.
‘I would like to thank everyone who has assisted in the searches including the local mountain rescue team, the fire service, the police helicopter and the police under water search team who have carried out extensive water based searches in difficult weather and water conditions, from Bangor on Dee to Chester. Their searches continue to take place.
‘I would also like thank members of the public who have responded to our earlier appeals.
‘My ask is for anyone who was in Bangor on Dee on these dates to think back- did you see Lucy at all? She was wearing a navy padded coat, significantly with a Hi-Viz vest, khaki-coloured leggings and black boots.
‘If you feel that you did then please contact North Wales Police either online or 101, even if you are not certain it was Lucy, please let us know.
‘The River Dee is in a very dangerous state of flooding at this time and I would urge members of the public not to venture near the river. Our searches continue; and Lucy’s family are being kept informed. Finally, my thoughts remain with Lucy’s family at this difficult time.’
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact North Wales Police urgently via their website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 46914.