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Six police officers will face disciplinary proceedings for misconduct in relation to a crash that claimed the lives of three people.
Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, both 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were found dead at the scene of the incident on the A48 in the St Mellons area of Cardiff in March 2023 – almost 48 hours after they were all last seen.
Two passengers, who were seriously injured, were also found with the Volkswagen Tiguan they had been travelling in.
On Friday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had examined Gwent police’s response to missing person reports made by family members, including if they were appropriately risk-assessed, reviewed and resourced. It has now determined that six officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
Derrick Campbell, the director of the IOPC, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the young people who tragically lost their lives, those who were left seriously injured and everyone affected by this incident.
“This investigation has been complex and resource-intensive, but it is important for public confidence in policing that this tragic incident was subject to thorough and independent scrutiny.
“It will now be for a police disciplinary panel, arranged by Gwent police, to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all the available information.”
The IOPC said:
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A police sergeant has a case to answer for gross misconduct for their supervision of the missing persons inquiry.
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A police constable has a case to answer for gross misconduct for allegedly failing to carrying out basic inquiries, including not recording and sharing information with their supervisor.
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Two police constables have a case to answer for gross misconduct after allegedly failing to conduct house searches and then giving dishonest accounts to their supervisor and IOPC investigators.
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A police constable has a case to answer for misconduct for allegedly not carrying out adequate house searches.
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A police sergeant has a case to answer for misconduct relating to allegations of failing to review all available information at the time of conducting a risk assessment for the missing women.
The IOPC said it had examined more than 30 complaints from the families of those involved in the incident, regarding the actions and decisions made by Gwent police and South Wales police.
These included complaints about the way in which both forces communicated with the families throughout the missing persons investigation and not progressing information given to police by relatives.
There were also complaints about communication between the two forces as the investigation progressed.
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Deputy chief constable Nicky Brain, of Gwent police, said: “Our thoughts and condolences continue to be with the family and friends of Darcy, Eve and Rafel who tragically lost their lives and those who sustained injuries that night.
“We acknowledge the impact that this investigation has had on them and understand how important the findings of the Independent Office for Police Conduct will be to all those affected and the wider community.
“We have fully cooperated with the IOPC in their investigation. It’s important that these matters were investigated thoroughly in an open and transparent manner.
“We will now start the process to hold the relevant misconduct hearings and misconduct meetings.”
