Ausra Plungiene: Police searching for missing mum in Snowdonia find body as dog is discovered alive at scene
A BODY has been found in the search for a mum who vanished while walking her dog, police confirmed today.
Ausra Plungiene, 56, went missing after heading for a hike in Snowdonia on Tuesday morning.
The mum-of-two, who lived in the Prestatyn area, was believed to have left her home for a walk at around 10.30am with her dog.
By 10pm the keen hiker and her dog had not returned - and her family alerted the police.
Police tragically revealed today that a body had been discovered during their search.
Officers also confirmed Ausra's dog had been found alive close to the scene of the tragedy.
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A spokesperson said: "Police and colleagues from Mountain Rescue searching for missing Ausra Plungiene, from Prestatyn have sadly found the body of a woman.
"Mountain Rescue Team members made the discovery near to Yr Aryg in the Carneddau mountain range earlier this afternoon."
Whilst formal identification is yet to take place, Ausra’s family have been informed."
Ausra's car was located by officers in the Rowen area during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
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It sparked a huge search involving cops, search and rescue helicopters and volunteers as horrendous weather conditions swept across North Wales.
Temperatures plunged to below 2C and the Met Office also issued a yellow weather warning for wind.
Ausra’s daughter previously told of her family’s pain as the hunt for her mum continued.
Toma Plungauite Lamb told The Sun: “My mum is the most beautiful soul, who would do anything for anyone.
“So I’m asking for anyone with any information to come forward to bring our mummy home.”
A police van was parked outside Ausra home in Prestatyn on Wednesday - which she shares with partner Jonathan Mortimer.
Neighbours said they were hoping for good news and described mother-of-two Ausra as a “lovely” woman.
Geraint Anderson, 41, said: “I always see her with her dog.
“She’s a lovely lady and I only spoke to her over Easter.
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“It’s very worrying what’s happened and I hope she turns up safe.
“I haven’t spoken to Jonathan but I messaged her son Zil to offer my support."
