Haunting CCTV images of the car carrying a group of friends who were involved in a horror smash have been released.
Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, were reported missing in the early hours of Saturday, 4, March after partying at a popular bar in Newport, Wales, before going to clubbing hotspot Trecco Bay in Porthcawl.
Images show the woman travelling in a white Volkswagen Tiguan with two Cardiff men named as Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32 , who were also reported missing. Police launched a hunt for the group after they failed to return home.
In the desperate hours after they first disappeared, the family released footage of the car in the hope witnesses would come forward. According to the Mirror, officers later discovered the car in the St Mellons area of the Welsh capital at around midnight.
Three were pronounced dead at the scene. They are believed to be Eve, Darcy and Rafel.
The two survivors were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Police believe that the group were involved in a car crash on the A48 and were forced off of the road.
Eve's sister Lauren Doyle took to Facebook to confirm that she was among those that died. She wrote: "I will not comment on anyone other than Eve Smith to confirm that she has been confirmed as deceased," she wrote.
"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."
A 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.”
Rafel’s friend Nicola Blackmore described him as a “lovely kid”. Police in Wales have been criticised by the families for what they claim was delays in the search operation.
Sophie's mum Anna Certowicz, 42, says she took to driving around the streets in a desperate search for her daughter as cops told her to "stop ringing" the station for updates.
She told the Daily Mail: "They didn't seem to care. I had to drive to Cardiff to knock on doors myself because they were doing s** all. They just didn't seem to think it was worth investigating. It was so frustrating.
"I think they assumed that Sophie was hungover somewhere, but she's a sensible girl who works in a bank and hasn't taken a day off for three years.
"She's not someone who's out clubbing in Cardiff all the time. On Friday nights she's more likely to be babysitting so other people can go out. She wouldn't just vanish like this unless something was wrong."
The heartbroken mum told how Sophie, Eve and Darcy have known each other since childhood and are "incredibly close".
Specialist officers are supporting the families of those involved and inquiries are ongoing.
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."
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