WORRIED FAMILY 'NEED ANSWERS' AS SEARCH FOR WOMAN GOES ON

Police conduct murder investigation into Charlene's disappearance

- LUCY JOHN

THE family of missing Cardiff woman Charlene Hobbs have opened up for the first time since her disappearance a year ago, as police continue their murder investigation.

Speaking to Wales On Sunday on behalf of the family, her cousin Dean Hobbs said they are all "worried sick" and pleaded with the public - especially anyone with information on her whereabouts to show "compassion" as the family go through "torture".

"We just need answers now," he said.

"If she is alive we want her to be free from wherever she may be, and safe. If it is the case that she's passed, her family deserve closure and she deserves to be laid to rest peacefully."

Next month will mark one year since Charlene was last seen alive.

The last confirmed sighting of her is a mobile phone photograph taken at a property in Broadway, Adamsdown, Cardiff, at 6.07am on July 24.

The day before, Charlene who is around 37 and has a distinctive dragon tattoo on her back was seen on CCTV in Morrisons Local, Adamsdown.

In that time South Wales Police say a large scale investigation has been under way.

Further searches, forensic examinations and house-to-house inquiries are due to take place, a spokesman for the force said.

Crimestoppers has offered a £20,000 reward for anonymous information that leads to the conviction of those "responsible for [her] murder".

However, so far no one has come forward with information.

A 45-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation remains on police bail.

Dean, 43, said although the family are aware of the ongoing police investigation, they believe more should have been done in the early stages of Charlene's disappearance.

Charlene, who is from Ely but later moved to St Mellons, was reported missing on three occasions over a six-week period before an investigation was launched, Dean said.