British woman Wendy Iles vanishes in Spain after camper van theft on road trip home

Wendy Iles, 68, from Wiltshire, UK, has disappeared while driving back from the Costa Blanca in Spain in her camper van accompanied by her dog, Bozie.

Family issues urgent appeal for information

Daughter Louise has posted multiple calls on social media seeking details on her mother’s whereabouts and asking the expat community if anyone has seen her. Louise says that Wendy last spoke to family around 9pm UK time on Sunday, May 24 from the Alfafar area close to Ikea in south Valencia. She was travelling from Cumbre del Sol near Moraira.

Relatives contacted UK police, and they have contacted Interpol after contact broke down. Wendy had been returning from the Costa Blanca with her Springer Spaniel and planned to catch a ferry from Caen in northern France. Her camper van, a grey Mazda Bongo, carries the British registration V233 HWA.

Final conversation cause for major concern

Louise said her mother sounded confused in their last talk. Wendy told her that someone had stolen her camper van.

Wendy, around 5 ft tall, was last known to have travelled through zones between Silla and Alfafar, south of Valencia city, and as far as Russafa, in the centre of the city. Her phone then went inactive after 9.45pm on Sunday.

She missed the ferry crossing scheduled for May 23. Wendy also never reached a hotel that Louise recommended during efforts to address the vehicle issue.

Suspicions centre on passport and vehicle theft

Louise thinks thieves must have stolen her mother’s passports together with the camper van. This left Wendy without key travel documents.

In an expat forum reply, Louise confirmed her view came directly from that final exchange where Wendy said she no longer had the vehicle and had reported the theft.

Louise asked people with connections in Spain to share the post and look out for sightings of her mother in the Valencia area. She posted this update late on Monday after getting an Interpol reference number.

Official response draws criticism

British police will not check bank transactions until a high-risk label applies, and Spanish police wait 48 hours before they start searches for adults.

Louise voiced frustration over these delays while the family pushes for clues. Wendy appeared disoriented and failed to check into the suggested hotel.

Background details on missing traveller

Wendy, a British national from Wiltshire, had been on a solo road trip with her dog. She belongs to communities of grey nomads who travel in camper vans.

Anyone who spots Wendy or her Springer Spaniel needs to contact police in the Valencia region straight away. Family members continue their appeals as worry increases over her safety.

Have you seen or heard from Wendy?

Call UK police on 442/25052026, Local Spanish police on +34 963 54 00 30 or call +44 7786 172036. The interpol missing persons reference number is IP-E-0000143174.