An ex-Cardiff and QPR player’s son, 24, has sadly been found dead along with two others after a tragic crash over the weekend.
Two days after the disappearance of five people, police confirm they have found three bodies and two injuries in their search for them.
Gwent Police stated that they believe the group was involved in a crash with Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, last seen in Cardiff at 02:00 GMT Saturday.
Rafel is the son of winger Leon Jeanne, 42, with supporters of those the former footballer previously played for, including the likes of Arsenal, QPR, Cardiff and Newport, paying tribute via messages of support towards the victims and their families on social media.
Eve Smith’s family identified her as one of the people who have lost her life, via social media.
Friends and family made numerous appeals for the group to be found over the weekend while a mother of one of their girls claiming that she was told to stop getting in contact with police for updates.
A member of the public discovered a car, that the group was last seen in on Monday morning on the A48 near St Mellons, with is a busy main route between Newport and Cardiff.
The car, a Volkswagen Tiguan, was found next to a busy roundabout, close to a garden centre, with Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin currently in a critical condition.
The crash scene was marked by a long police cordon at the busy dual carriageway with the vehicle spotted in a wooded area just below the slipway, down a small bank, a wooded area, which no one ever walks. Officers are hidden from the trees to recover the bodies and investigate the scene.
The vehicle has been taken on a truck, police covering the vehicle and the road was re-opened one hour later.
People have placed flowers near the scene.
Revealed: Son of ex-Cardiff footballer Leon Jeanne was among five young revellers in horror smash after night out which killed three
via https://t.co/SvLaQx6uqp https://t.co/tFM3JHTmqG— Marc Hoare (@020644) March 6, 2023
Sophie Russon’s mother, Anna Certowicz, 42, drove about in a desperate search for her daughter after police officers told her to “stop ringing” the station for updates.
She told the Daily Mail: “They didn’t seem to care. I had to drive to Cardiff to knock on doors myself because they were doing sod all. They just didn’t seem to think it was worth investigating. It was so frustrating.”
Writing on Twitter, Hollie Smith said her cousin, Sophie Russon, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
“Sadly, the three other passengers have died and we’re thinking of the families who have lost their loved ones,” she wrote.
Eve and her family took part in a Sky documentary ‘This is Our Family’ calling for tougher sentences for dangerous drivers – after her sister was killed by a drug driver in 2015.
Also in the car were Darcy Ross, 21, and Sophie Russon, 20, who went out clubbing at The Muffler – Maesglas Sports & Social Club in Newport.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, or send a direct message on social media, quoting 2300071791.
The case has been referred to the IOPC in line with normal procedures.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hoborough of Gwent Police said: “This is an extremely sad situation, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of each of the young people involved. We will continue to support the investigation and would ask members of the public to refrain from speculation during this period.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies of South Wales Police said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident. Specialist officers are carrying out a detailed investigation to piece together what has happened. Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them.”
Social media users reacted as the ex-Cardiff and QPR player’s son, 24, is sadly found dead along with two others after a tragic crash…
@foreverayellow: if a donation/justgiving page was set up to help the families fund the funerals or help with medical care, i know the nation as well as the cardiff, newport and qpr fans will put something towards it
@LauraF7x: The news about the car crash in Wales is awful. So sad. The boy killed is the son of Leon Jeanne who played for us. Sending lots of love to all family and friends of all involved ♥️
@ReeceDanns: Terrible 😢
@StandUpForBarry: Thoughts are with our former player Leon Jeanne and all those affected by this tragedy in the news.
Janet Evans: So sad. Remember Leon when he played for Wales and Cardiff City the same time as my son also at lower league against another of my sons. A talented footballer and lovely lad. Condolences to you Leon and all your family and friends. ❤️
Lesley Jones: So sad my heart goes out to them all 🥲
Tracy Paradise: Thinking of you Leon and family sending my condolences To u all 😢😢😢
Julie Wright: Thinking of all the families. 3 lives sadly taken too soon. RIP 🙏
Kirsty Nicholls: Worst news ever my loves goes out to Leon and the families involved 🙏💙💔
Michelle Simons: Heartbreaking thinking also of Leon and rafels brothers and sister . All his family especially Clare my heart aches for you all xxx💙 another life taken to soon x r..p rafel 💙
Jan Xuereb: 💙💙💙💙💙
Sam Evans: Awful news 💔 Thoughts are with all their families and friends and wishing a full recovery for two survivors x
Suzanne Davies: This is heartbreaking 💔
worcester_ccfc: Horrible incident, RIP to the three who have sadly died. Hope those with serious injuries make a full recovery.
All our thoughts are with former Port Talbot Town player Leon Jeanne on the tragic news on the passing of his son
— Port Talbot Town FC Supporters (@PTTsupporters) March 7, 2023
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