Childhood friend asks for help to solve mystery death of 'caring and loving' mother

Release time：2024-05-17 23:36:52 Source：Global Gazette news portal

The family and friends of a 'caring and loving' mother-of-two whose body was discovered on a Welsh beach have appealed to the public for help in solving the continued mystery over her death.

Sian Batchelor, 32, was found on the beach near Pennar, Pembroke Dock, on the evening of Tuesday, April 30.

Dyfed-Powys Police have made no arrests in connection with her death, which they continue to treat as 'unexplained'.

Now Miss Batchelor's childhood best friend, Carmel Russant, has made a desperate plea for information so family and friends can 'give her children the answers they are going to need when they’re older'.

She grew up with Miss Batchelor in the Pembroke Dock area before moving away - and the first she heard of the tragic news was when her sister contacted her to tell her that a body had been found.

Miss Russant said: 'We’re in a state of absolute disbelief.

'We have literally no idea what happened - no leads, no clues. That’s why we’re appealing for the public’s help. 

'She was staying in the Castle Street area of Pennar but we don’t know what she was doing three days prior to her death.

'We just want to know what happened to her and we want to get a message across to the public - we’re appealing for people to check CCTV footage or doorbell footage they may have. 

'Doorbell footage can be automatically erased after 30 days so we are really keen for people to check theirs before that may happen.'

She told MailOnline: 'Sian was my best friend for over a decade. She would talk to and help anyone and would never judge.

'I live away [from the area] and hearing this news has broken my heart. I will do anything to get my friend the justice she needs.'

Acknowledging the support of locals, she added: 'She was loved by the community and we are overwhelmed with the help from everyone.' 

Police are treating Miss Batchelor's death as unexplained after her body was found on a beach

Family and friends describe mother-of-two Miss Batchelor as 'beautiful' and 'caring and loving' 

Carmel Russant, right, grew up with Miss Batchelor, left, in the Pembroke Dock area before moving away

Miss Batchelor's family and friends are asking people living in the streets below to check any doorbell footage they may have recorded in the five days before the discovery of her body - between April 25 and April 30.

The locations, all in the Pembroke Dock area, are Ferry Road, Pennar Park, Bentlass Terrace, Castle Street, Grove Street, London Road, Treowen Road, Victoria Road, Military Road, Stranraer Road, Fleet Street and Sycamore Street.

Miss Batchelor's family and friends have also urged people to cast their minds back to whether they saw her in the days leading up to her death, or on April 30 before her body was found that evening. 

She had a piercing in her left nostril and another underneath her right eye. 

She was wearing green, knee-length jogging bottoms and a short black jacket with red on the inside, and when she was found her hair was in a ponytail.

'It’s imperative that we know what happened to her because all we want is peace,' said Miss Batchelor. 

'It’s currently under investigation but at this stage we just don’t know. She was a mother and we want to give her children the answers they are going to need when they’re older.'

Paying tribute to her friend, she said: 'She was the most caring, friendly and loving girl who would give anyone a laugh. Somebody knows something and it just breaks my heart.'

Miss Russant, right, said her friend would 'talk to and help anyone and would never judge' people

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: 'We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Sian Batchelor, 32, who was found on a beach near Pennar, Pembroke Dock on Tuesday evening, April 30. 

'Sian’s death is being treated as unexplained and no arrests have been made at this time. 

'Anyone with information, sightings of Sian or contact from Sian between Thursday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 30 is asked to contact police either by direct message on social media, by e-mailing [email protected], or by calling 101 quoting ref: DP-20240430-284.'

HM Coroner has been informed of Miss Batchelor’s death but an inquest has not yet been opened.

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