'My friend was found dead on a beach and we just want to know what really happened'

Family and friends of “the most caring and loving girl” who was found dead on a Welsh beach have appealed to the public for help as the mystery surrounding her death continues. The body of Sian Batchelor, a 32-year-old mother of two, was discovered on a beach near Pennar, Pembroke Dock, on the evening of Tuesday, April 30.

From the outset, officers from Dyfed-Powys Police treated the death as “unexplained”, and two weeks later the force has confirmed that their position has not changed. They also confirmed that no arrests have been made in connection with the death. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.

Her childhood best friend has now spoken out and provided more information as she and others search for clues as to what exactly happened. Carmel Russant grew up with Sian in the Pembroke Dock area before moving away. The first she heard of the tragic news was when Sian's sister got in touch to inform her that a body had been found.

READ MORE: Murder investigation launched after man, 36, dies

DON'T MISS: Three-year-old dies in tragic bath accident

“We’re in a state of absolute disbelief,” said Carmel. “We have literally no idea what happened - no leads, no clues. That’s why we’re appealing for the public’s help. She was staying in the Castle Street area of Pennar but we don’t know what she was doing three days prior to her death.

“We just want to know what happened to her and we want to get a message across to the public - we’re appealing for people to check CCTV footage or doorbell footage they may have. Doorbell footage can be automatically erased after 30 days so we are really keen for people to check theirs before that may happen.”

Those close to Sian specifically want people living in the below streets to check any footage they may have recorded in the five days prior to the discovery of her body - between April 25 and April 30. The locations, all in the Pembroke Dock area, are:

• Ferry Road

• Pennar Park

• Bentlass Terrace

• Castle Street

• Grove Street

• London Road

• Treowen Road

• Victoria Road

• Military Road

• Stranraer Road

• Fleet Street

• Sycamore Street

Sian’s family and friends also want people to try to remember if they saw her in the days leading up to her death, or on April 30 before her body was found in the evening. She had a piercing in her left nostril and another underneath her right eye. She was wearing green, knee-length jogging bottoms and a short black jacket with red on the inside, and when she was found her hair was in a ponytail.

“It’s imperative that we know what happened to her because all we want is peace,” said Carmel. “It’s currently under investigation but at this stage we just don’t know. She was a mother and we want to give her children the answers they are going to need when they’re older.” Paying tribute to her friend, Carmel said: “She was the most caring, friendly and loving girl who would give anyone a laugh. Somebody knows something and it just breaks my heart.”

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said on Tuesday (April 14): “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Sian Batchelor, 32, who was found on a beach near Pennar, Pembroke Dock on Tuesday evening, April 30. Sian’s death is being treated as unexplained and no arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information, sightings of Sian or contact from Sian between Thursday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 30 is asked to contact police either by direct message on social media, by e-mailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101 quoting ref: DP-20240430-284.”

HM Coroner has been informed of Sian Batchelor's death but an inquest has not yet been opened.