MISSING NURSE DIES IN RIVER TRAGEDY
TALENTED NURSE FOUND DEAD IN CAR AFTER LEAVING HOSPITAL SHIFT AT 1AM
THE BODY of a nurse has been found in a car in a river just hours after she clocked off from a hospital night shift.
Laurie Jayne Jones, 23, was last seen leaving the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff at around 1.40am on Tuesday. She was wearing her blue nurse’s scrubs, and was reported missing after she did not return to her home in Caerphilly.
Gwent Police said a vehicle was found in the river near to the B4251 near Wyllie, south of Blackwood, at about 1pm on Tuesday.
Officers investigating the scene discovered the body of a dead woman inside the car. They yesterday confirmed the identity of the dead woman as Ms Jones.
A spokesman for Gwent Police said: “Officers are not treating her death as suspicious and specialist officers are supporting her family at this tragic time. Laurie’s family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support, and for sharing the appeal to help find Laurie when she was reported as missing.
“They ask that they are now left alone to grieve in private as a family.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Laurie Jones at this tragic time.”
Ms Jones, from the Pontllanfraith area, was last seen wearing blue nurses scrubs, black shoes and a blue NHS hooded top. She was also carrying a pink rucksack and pink water bottle at the time she left.
A missing person’s appeal was issued by Gwent Police when she failed to return home but the appeal has now been taken down.
Her sister, Esme Jones, thanked people for their support by sharing the missing person appeal on Facebook. She posted: “Thank you for all the shares, not the best news unfortunately.”
Since she published the status several tributes have been made in the comments. One woman wrote: “Awful sad news, don’t know you personally but my heart is breaking for you all thinking of you all.”
This was followed by tributes including: “So sorry to hear the sad news.
“Your sister was a lovely happy girl all the way through school, my heart goes out to you and all your family at this difficult time.”
Another person added: “I do not know you personally. I’m thinking of you and all of your family at this very difficult time.
“Respect to Laurie – a true inspiration to the NHS.”
It is believed Ms Jones studied Child Nursing in Bucks New University prior to employment.
According to her Facebook page, Ms Jones worked for the NHS in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, before taking on her role in Cardiff.
Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of Ms Jones’ death.
Chief executive Len Richards and executive nurse director Ruth Walker said: “Cardiff and Vale University Health Board would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Laurie Jones.
“Laurie worked as a staff nurse in our Paediatric Emergency Unit.
“This is a tragic loss to both her family and the NHS of a young and talented nurse who chose a career caring for others.
“We will be offering support to colleagues and on behalf of the UHB we would like to extend our deepest sympathies.”