Snowdonia missing woman – latest: Police launch search for dog walker who vanished with pet

There is a growing concern for her welfare

Ausra Plungiene disappeared while walking her dog (North Wales Police)

Police have launched an urgent search for a woman who disappeared in Snowdonia while out walking her dog.

Ausra Plungiene, 56, has not been seen since taking her pet out on Tuesday in the north west Wales area.

She didn't return home yesterday prompting an urgent search.

This morning, the coastguard rescue helicopter was above Eryri, sweeping the area in the desperate search for the dog walker.

The woman's dog is also missing as local residents are asked to remain vigilant. Police released pictures of Ms Plungiene and say there is growing concern for her safety.

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Concerns for Ausra Plungiene, 56 yrs, who went walking with her dog in Snowdonia, 11th April and is now missing.

“Any sightings/information please ring NWP on 101 quoting incident no A052734.”

Key Points

• Police launch urgent search for missing dog walker
• Dog also missing with 56-year-old woman
• Coastguard rescue helicopter have been deployed in the desperate search

[12 April 2023 16:07 · Katy Clifton]

We are pausing our live updates for the evening.

[12 April 2023 15:30 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Police ‘extremely concerned for Ausra’s safety'

Superintendent Owain Llewellyn of North Wales Police said all efforts were being deployed to search for Ausra Plungiene.

He said: “We are extremely concerned for Ausra’s safety and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen her or has any information on her whereabouts to get in touch. “A number of resources were deployed throughout the night to try and find her. Her vehicle was located in a remote car park in Rowen shortly after midnight so we are working to establish which route she may have taken. “Searches are continuing across the area this morning – involving a number of resources including air support, and due to the current inclement weather conditions, I would ask members of the public not to conduct their own searches, and allow our Mountain Rescue colleagues to continue their enquiries”. Anybody who may have seen Ausra, or have any information is urged to contact North Wales Police via 101 or via the website, quoting reference number A052734.

[12 April 2023 14:31 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Police say ‘multi-agency search’ is underway for Ausra Plungiene

North Wales Police has said a “multi-agency search” is underway for missing woman, Ausra Plungiene.

In a Facebook post, the force said that North Wales Police, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the RAF Search and Rescue Team are all involved in an operation to locate the 56-year-old.

The post said: “Ausra, who lives in the Prestatyn area, is believed to have left for her walk at around 10:30am with her dog, but she failed to return home. “The alarm was raised shortly before 10pm last night when North Wales Police coordinated a search across a vast area of Eryri. Her car was located by officers in the Rowen area during the early hours.

“She may have been wearing a dark pink/purple padded jacket, black leggings and blue shoes.”

Ausra Plungiene, 56, who has gone missing after walking her dog in North Wales on Tuesday ( (North Wales Police/PA))

[12 April 2023 13:00 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Police tell local residents to remain vigilant

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Concerns for Ausra Plungiene, 56 yrs, who went walking with her dog in Snowdonia, 11th April and is now missing.

“Any sightings/information please ring NWP on 101 quoting incident no A052734.”

[12 April 2023 11:58 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Urgent search for missing dog walker who vanished with pet on country walk

Ausra Plungiene, 56, has not been seen since taking her pet out on Tuesday in Snowdonia, north west Wales.

She didn’t return home yesterday prompting an urgent search.

This morning, the coastguard rescue helicopter was above Eryri, sweeping the area, according to reports.

[12 April 2023 11:15 · Thomas Kingsley]

Watch: Everything we know as police search for missing dog walker

[12 April 2023 10:30 · Thomas Kingsley]

Pictured: Both Ausra Plungiene and her dog are missing

Ausra Plungiene is missing with her dog (North Wales Police)

[12 April 2023 10:10 · Thomas Kingsley]

What have the police said about the disappearance

North Wales Police said: “Concerns for Ausra Plungiene, 56 yrs, who went walking with her dog in Snowdonia, 11th April and is now missing.

“Any sightings/information please ring NWP on 101 quoting incident no A052734.”

[12 April 2023 10:02 · Thomas Kingsley]

What do we know about missing dog walker Ausra Plungiene?

Ausra Plungiene, 56, has not been seen since taking her pet out on Tuesday in Snowdonia, north west Wales.

She didn't return home yesterday prompting an urgent search. This morning, the coastguard rescue helicopter was above Eryri, sweeping the area, according to reports.

North Wales Police has asked locals to vigilant while it conducts a search.

Read the full story below:

[12 April 2023 09:51 · Thomas Kingsley]

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of an urgent police search to find missing dog walker Ausra Plungiene who vanished while walking her pet in Snowdonia.