Sister in tearful plea for help to find missing vet

Catherine Gowing, from the Irish Republic, has lived in Wales for the past two years and was last seen on Friday night at a supermarket in Queensferry.

A 46-year-old man from Gwynedd last night remained in police custody on suspicion of murder following the 38-year-old vet’s disappearance.

The man is understood to have been known to Ms Gowing.

Her sister Emma broke down at a press conference yesterday.

“Please look, please search, please help us find our beautiful sister,” she said.

“Catherine is a kind, sensitive beautiful person.

“She’s passionate about animals and utterly devoted to my family,” she added.

“She’s my best friend, she’s the light of my life and she’s the light of my parents’ life.”

“If you have any information about Catherine, no matter how trivial you think it is, please contact the police.”

She added: “We are all so deeply shocked by the events that have unfolded in the last four days.

“Catherine’s disappearance has left us all bereft. We are lost without her.

“I’d implore the local community to do all they can and help us find her.

“Look out of your windows, look as you drive or head to work. Check your local street, car parks, garages, wasteland or anywhere a car may be left.”

Ms Gowing’s employer at a veterinary practice in Mold also revealed “half a message” was sent from her mobile phone to a colleague after she was last seen alive.

David Evans, owner of the Evans Veterinary Practice, said staff became worried after receiving the text message at the weekend.

Ms Gowing is known to have missed a weekend appointment but the alarm was not raised until she failed to arrive at work.

“We informed the police as soon as she did not turn up for work at none o’clock on Monday morning. Then we left it to the police,” Mr Evans said.

Police believe that, after finishing work, Ms Gowing drove to her in New Brighton in her work car, a Vauxhall Corsa, which has since been recovered.

She was last seen at Asda in Queensferry at 8.06pm on Friday and left at 8.39pm.

Detective Superintendent John Hanson said: “Our priority is to trace Catherine and we would urge anyone who has seen her or her Renault Clio, bearing the Irish registration plates 00D 99970, to contact the North Wales Police incident room on 101.”