In March 2023, a night out in Cardiff ended in tragedy for five friends—Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32—whose disappearance and the subsequent police response have now cast a long shadow over two Welsh police forces. The group was last seen at about 2:00 a.m. on March 4, and when their car was finally discovered 46 hours later, three of them were dead and two critically injured. The aftermath has led to a misconduct process for six police officers and a reckoning with how missing persons cases are handled in Wales.
According to BBC News, the group had been enjoying a night out before vanishing in the early hours. Their families, growing increasingly concerned, reported them missing to Gwent Police starting at about 7:30 p.m. on March 4. Over the weekend, family and friends made repeated appeals for information, but felt their concerns were brushed aside. The mother of one of the girls even reported being told to stop contacting police for updates. It wasn’t until just after midnight on March 6 that the group’s white Volkswagen Tiguan was found, crashed deep in undergrowth near a roundabout on the A48 in the St Mellons area of Cardiff.
The grim discovery revealed the full extent of the tragedy. Eve Smith, Rafel Jeanne—who had been driving at the time of the crash—and Darcy Ross were pronounced dead at the scene. Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin survived but were critically injured and rushed to hospital. Court papers, as reported by the PA news agency, later revealed that the group had been drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, prior to the collision. An initial inquest hearing confirmed the three deaths at the scene, but further histology and toxicology tests were pending at the time.
The timeline of events has raised disturbing questions about the police response. Despite the missing persons reports being filed on the evening of March 4, it took nearly two full days for the car to be located. During that time, families say their concerns were not taken seriously. Emma Borg, Eve Smith's mother, described the wait for answers as "arduous and distressing," adding in a statement, "It was clear from the outset that the missing reports were not taken seriously and were dismissed by the police." She continued, "The investigation and final IOPC report may highlight procedural and administrative failings in current policies but they do not reflect the catastrophic effect that they have made to public confidence and more importantly the potential impact on the survivability of my daughter Eve."
Borg’s frustration was palpable as she described the family’s ordeal: "The family have provided evidence above and beyond family members should have to provide due to the inconsistencies and deliberate fabrications." She added, "The family have had no closure, no real answers, no apology and absolutely no accountability from those who have made a conscious choice not to follow the policies." These statements, cited by BBC News, have echoed the anger and disappointment felt by many in the community.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into the actions of both Gwent Police and South Wales Police. In its findings, the IOPC stated it had "examined Gwent Police's response to the missing person reports made by family members of the victims, including if they were appropriately risk assessed, reviewed and resourced." According to IOPC Director Derrick Campbell, the office examined "more than thirty complaints from the families involved regarding the actions and decisions made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police." He noted, "The complaints included the way in which both forces communicated with the families throughout the missing person investigation, not progressing information given to police by relatives and communication between the two forces as the investigation progressed."
The IOPC ultimately determined that "more than half" the service provided by both forces was "unacceptable." The failures were not limited to communication. The disciplinary process now facing six officers reflects a series of lapses and, in some cases, dishonesty. The officers facing proceedings include:
- A sergeant responsible for the investigation on March 5, facing gross misconduct charges for their "supervision of the missing persons inquiry."
- A police constable (PC) for gross misconduct for allegedly failing to carry out basic inquiries, not recording and sharing information with a supervisor, and failing to communicate appropriately with family members.
- Two PCs for gross misconduct for allegedly failing to conduct house searches as per policy and for giving dishonest accounts to their supervisor and IOPC investigators.
- One of these officers was also criminally investigated for misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice, but the IOPC did not find sufficient evidence to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.
- A PC for misconduct for allegedly not carrying out adequate house searches as per policy.
- A sergeant for misconduct relating to allegations of failing to review all available information at the time of conducting a risk assessment for the missing women.
Deputy Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Nicky Brain, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "We acknowledge the impact that this investigation has had on them and understand how important the findings of the IOPC will be to all those affected and the wider community." She added that the force had "fully co-operated with the IOPC" and would now "start the process to hold the relevant misconduct hearings and misconduct meetings."
The IOPC also recommended that three South Wales Police officers undertake "reflective practice" following the investigation. South Wales Police, for its part, said "opportunities were identified" to improve collaboration with Gwent Police on missing person investigations, and that these changes had "since been implemented."
Meanwhile, the case has also brought renewed scrutiny to the events leading up to the crash. Shane Loughlin, who survived the crash, was not driving at the time of the fatal collision. However, he had driven the same car earlier that night while inhaling laughing gas, a fact that led to his sentencing in September 2023 to one year and five months in prison for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
For the families involved, the pain of their loss has been compounded by what they see as a failure of the very institutions meant to protect them. The IOPC’s findings, while leading to disciplinary proceedings and some reforms, have not provided the closure or accountability many hoped for. The incident has sparked wider debate about how police handle missing persons cases, especially when families feel their concerns are not being taken seriously.
As the misconduct hearings proceed and both Gwent Police and South Wales Police implement changes, the legacy of this tragedy will likely shape policies—and public trust—for years to come. The community’s call for answers and accountability remains as urgent as ever.
