COPS have launched an urgent murder probe after a woman went missing with a £20k reward for any information.
Charlene Hobbs, 36, from Cardiff, has not been seen since she vanished on July 2024.
The last confirmed sighting is a mobile phone photograph taken of Charlene at a property in Broadway, Adamsdown.
South Wales Police announced today that Charlene’s disappearance is now being treated as murder.
Cops said that they made the decision after having “no proof” and a “lack of evidence” that Charlene is alive.
Crimestoppers are now offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
Detectives and specialist search teams are continuing with extensive efforts to find Charlene and determine the circumstances around why she is missing.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Powell, from South Wales Police, said: “We have always been determined to find Charlene alive and return her to her family, but despite a huge number of enquiries we have no proof that Charlene is alive. We are now investigating her disappearance as murder.
“While I have always maintained an open mind, the lack of evidence that Charlene is alive means that we are now treating her disappearance as a murder investigation.
“We have spoken to more than 250 people, either known to Charlene or from areas where she is known to frequent, and no-one can tell us where Charlene is or that she is alive, which of course we, her family and friends desperately want to hear.
“Several of those we have spoken to believe that she has died but no-one has been able to provide any specific details.”
He continued: “We are hoping that the Crimestoppers reward will help focus people’s minds.
“Charlene’s family continue to be updated, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”
