A frantic search has been launched for a British woman who has disappeared in Spain without trace after failing to board a ferry back to the UK with her cherished dog. Wendy Iles was making her way home from the Costa Blanca when she reportedly lost touch with her family. Her daughter, Louise, suspects her passport has been taken, while her mobile phone has subsequently been turned off.
Worried relatives contacted police - including Interpol and authorities in the UK - after Wendy was last heard from at approximately 9pm on Sunday while in the Alfafar region, close to Valencia. Louise revealed that during their final conversation, her mum appeared disorientated and the campervan she had been using had been taken.
Her daughter Louise has issued an urgent plea for information, disclosing that her mum was accompanied by her Springer Spaniel when she went missing. In a social media appeal, Louise explained her mother was last known to be in the vicinity between Silla, Alfafar and Russafa, located just south of Valencia city, and was heading towards Caen in northern France to board a ferry back to Britain.
She did not make the scheduled crossing on May 23.
Wendy is described as 5ft tall and accompanied by her dog, a Springer Spaniel. Her anxious daughter has appealed for anyone with information to get in touch, and has reached out to expat communities online to raise awareness amongst fellow grey nomads. Responding to questions on an expat forum about why she believed the vehicle had been stolen, Louise explained: "I am going with my last conversation with her where she was without the vehicle and had reported it stolen," reports the Mirror.
In a subsequent update posted late on Monday after securing an Interpol reference number, Louise said: "If anyone I know has any family, friends or contacts in Spain please can you share this post with them to see if there has been any sightings of my mum in the Valencia area."
She also voiced her frustration at the challenges involved in tracking her mother's movements.
"British police will not track her bank transactions until she's classed as high risk, and Spanish police will not search until 48 hours have passed," she said.
Louise further revealed that Wendy had appeared disorientated during their final conversation and had failed to check in at a hotel she had recommended while they attempted to resolve issues with the camper van.
"Last heard from her 9pm UK time yesterday in the Alfafar area," she wrote.
"She is very confused and did not turn up at the hotel I suggested she stay at whilst we get her camper van sorted.
Louise further revealed that Wendy had appeared disorientated during their final conversation and had failed to check in at a hotel she had recommended while they attempted to resolve issues with the camper van.
"Last heard from her 9pm UK time yesterday in the Alfafar area," she wrote.
"She is very confused and did not turn up at the hotel I suggested she stay at whilst we get her camper van sorted.
"Phone not active since 9.45pm yesterday."
The Iles family continues to appeal for information as anxiety mounts over Wendy's whereabouts.
The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
