Body found in Snowdonia in search for missing dog walker Ausra Plungiene
Ian Lang reports from Snowdonia
The body of a woman has been found in the search for missing dog walker Ausra Plungiene in Snowdonia, police have confirmed.
Mountain Rescue Team members made the discovery near to Yr Aryg in the Carneddau mountain range earlier this afternoon.
While formal identification is yet to take place, the family of missing Ausra Plungiene, from Prestatyn, have been informed.
Police have confirmed that a dog was found alive at the location.
The discovery follows a three-day search for the missing 56-year-old and her black dog, Eyora, after she failed to return home on Tuesday.
Superintendent Owain Llewelyn said: “Our thoughts are with Ausra’s family at this most difficult time. I can confirm that a dog was found alive at the location.
“I would like to offer my thanks to all involved in the search for Ausra, in what have been extremely difficult weather conditions.
“Finally, I would appeal for Ausra’s family to be afforded some privacy during the coming days.”
A search across Eryri national park (Snowdonia) was co-ordinated after the alarm was raised shortly before 10pm on Tuesday.
Ms Plungiene's car was found in a remote car park in the Rowen area of the Conwy Valley the following day.
The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team said volunteers had been searching in "atrocious conditions".
Tributes poured in following the news with people thanking the search teams. One Facebook user said, "Absolutely heartbreaking. Thank you to everyone who searched for her.
Another said, "Absolutely heartbreaking My thought are with friends and family."
Following the news, MS for Aberconwy Janet Finch-Saunders said, “I was very saddened to hear that a body has been discovered in the search for the missing Ausra Plungiene.
"I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those involved in the search, including North Wales Police, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the RAF Search and Rescue Team, in what were extremely difficult weather conditions. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
Ms Plungiene and her dog were last seen leaving for a walk on the morning of Tuesday, 11 April, at around 10:30am.
Police confirmed there were two sightings of a female with a dog on Tuesday in the hills to the south of Rowen at 11:30am and 4:30pm.
The search was paused in the Carneddau mountains on Wednesday evening because of poor weather conditions.
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