AVRIL’S FOOT FOUND ON BEACH
Police confirm grim find was body part of missing woman
POLICE yesterday confirmed that a human foot discovered on a North Wales beach is that of missing Avril Whitfield.
The discovery of the foot in a boot was made by a member of the public walking around Llanddwyn Island on the west coast of Anglesey.
DNA tests have confirmed the remains, found last month, belonged to the 57-year-old from Caernarfon who went missing on April 1, sparking a huge search.
The community rallied in a bid to find her, and emotional appeals were made by her partner and sister who described her disappearance as “absolutely gut-wrenching”.
Despite extensive searches, including of the Seioint brickworks in Caernarfon, were postponed in September after they failed to yield any fresh clues.
Avril’s family yesterday thanked everyone for their support over the last six months.
A statement issued by North Wales Police on their behalf said: “It is with a heavy heart we can confirm that the boot with remains found on Llanddwyn beach was that of Avril.
“(Her sister) Ann’s family and close friends would like to thank all the people of Caernarfon and surrounding areas for all their support and kindness shown to them during the months that Avril was missing.
“Avril was very well-liked and very much loved by all who knew her. We would request that the media respect our privacy at this very difficult time.”
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “On September 11 a member of the public walking around Llanddwyn Island on the west coast of Anglesey discovered a human foot in a boot washed up on the shoreline.
“Police recovered the remains and DNA testing has now confirmed it to be that of Avril Whitfield who was reported missing from her Caernarfon home in April 2016.
“57-year-old Avril was last seen leaving her home at 8.30am on 1st April and despite extensive media and community appeals, enquiries and searches by specialists, police and scores of members of her community who made repeated and tireless efforts to find her, she was not located.”
Chief Inspector Richie Green, who co-ordinated the police search, said her death is not being treated as suspicious.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the family. Her death is not being treated as suspicious and HM Coroner for North West Wales, Mr Dewi PritchardJones has been notified.”