Body found in river three weeks after woman, 39, went missing
Her belongings had been discovered on the river bank.
A body has been found in a river in the search for a woman who went missing just before Christmas.
Lucy Charles was last seen three weeks ago walking past a pub in Bangor-on-Dee, near Wrexham in North Wales, on December 22.
The 39-year-old’s belongings were discovered on the bank of the River Dee and a huge search operation was launched.
But specialist police officers confirmed a body has been recovered from the water today.
Chief inspector Stephen Roberts said: ‘Formal identification is yet to take place, but Lucy’s family have been informed, and are being supported by specialist officers.
‘The local coroner has also been informed.
‘My thoughts are with Lucy’s family and friends at this difficult time.’
An 18-mile stretch of the river was scoured between Bangor-on-Dee and Chester by police divers in the search for Lucy.
‘Excessive’ land and air searches of the local area had also been carried out.
Lucy was wearing a hi-vis vest over a navy padded coat when she went missing with khaki-coloured leggings and black boots.
Police did not say which of her items had been left by the waterside, but said they were found near a Severn Trent water treatment plant.
Her last known sighting had been on a CCTV camera at 5.34pm three days before Christmas, passing the Royal Oak pub, which is on the outskirts of the town and lies a short walk away from the river.
People had been urged to steer clear of the water as it was at risk of flooding due to adverse weather conditions.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.