A British woman from Wiltshire has gone missing after her camper van was stolen while she was on a long journey from Spain's Costa Blanca back to the United Kingdom. Wendy Iles, accompanied by her Springer Spaniel named Beau, had been travelling from Cumbre del Sol near Javea to Caen, France, intending to catch a ferry home. However, she missed her scheduled ferry crossing on May 23.
Daughter's Desperate Appeal
Her worried daughter, Louise, who has already contacted UK police, stated that she last heard from her mother around 9 PM on Sunday in the Alfafar area of Valencia. Louise has been appealing for information on an expat forum, sharing a picture of her mother and the dog. She described her mother as 'under 5ft tall, travelling with a Springer Spaniel, although the camper and passports are now thought to be stolen. Phone now off.'
When asked why she believed the camper van and passports had been stolen, Louise replied, 'I'm going with my last conversation with her where she was without the vehicle and had reported it stolen.' In a subsequent message on social media, after obtaining an Interpol reference number, she urged: 'If anyone I know has any family, friends or contacts in Spain, please share this post with them to see if there has been any sightings of my mum in the Valencia area.'
Police Response Delays
Louise expressed frustration that British police will not track her mother's bank transactions until she is classified as high risk, and Spanish police will not initiate a search until 48 hours have passed. 'Last heard from her 9 PM UK time [Sunday] in the Alfafar area. 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 9.45 PM [Sunday].'
Similar Cases
Last month, Paul Daniel Strange, 70, vanished the same day he was due to drive back from Palomares in Almeria, Spain, to Essex. Fortunately, he was found safe within hours of a public plea. However, in February, British holidaymaker Iain Stanley, 79, disappeared in Nerja and was tragically found dead after a week-long search.
