Missing gran hunt switches to woodland

Feb 13 2008 by Gerry Holt, South Wales Echo

THE police hunt for missing Valleys grandmother Fran Rosser today switched to a patch of woodland off an industrial estate.

A 100-yard-wide patch of waste ground around a disused railway line in Pontyclun has been sealed off with blue and white police tape.

Uniformed officers were today guarding the overgrown scrub land separating the Whitbread Factory on Coedcae Lane Industrial Estate and the Ynysddu housing estate, Pontyclun.

A man is still in custody in connection with 60-year-old Ms Rosser’s disappearance and officers were today asking for more time to question him.

Officers are also guarding Mrs Rosser’s Forever Young Beauty Salon in Tonyrefail.

None of her friends or family have seen the popular beautician and spiritualist, who held clairvoyant sessions in pubs and clubs across South Wales, since she went out to meet a friend at the Fox and Hounds pub in Blackmill, near Bridgend, on Saturday.

More than 20 police officers spent yesterday searching woodland around the pub and examining her red Fiat Bravo which was left in the pub car park.

Friends and neighbours said Ms Rosser had two grown-up children and several grandchildren.

Catherine Williams lives a few doors down from Ms Rosser in Kennard Street, Ton Pentre.

“She’s a very obliging lady,” said the 75-year-old, who last saw her on Thursday night at bingo.

“When my son Michael died of cancer three years ago, she was there and brought me around.”

Catherine’s son Anthony, 46, said Ms Rosser had supported him through difficult times.

“I suffer from anxiety and she helped me a lot,” he said. “I hope they find her and she is well.”

Ms Rosser’s sister-in-law Diane Martin said: “I am mystified over what has happened. She is always very happy and full of life and I can’t understand why she hasn’t returned home.”

Neighbour Jan Hawkins, 48, who has lived in the area for 21 years, added: “It’s out of character for her not to get in touch.

“She is very young for her age, a very nice lady and full of fun.

“Even if you didn’t see her, you could hear her saying goodbye to people on the doorstep – ‘I love you babe’.”

In Tonyrefail, where Ms Rosser’s beauty salon is on High Street next to a Chinese takeaway, one friend said: “Fran is a really bubbly, outgoing person.

“She’s not like a normal 60-year-old. She seems much younger than that. I always go in there to get my eyebrows done and she is really good with her customers. She has worked there about four years. Her business is really successful.”

Anyone with information on Ms Rosser’s whereabouts is asked to contact police on 01656 306099.

n A 34-year-old woman from Bedwas, Samantha Gittings, who was reported missing in the Echo yesterday has been found safe and well.

echo.newsdesk@mediawales.co.uk