The wife of a rock guitarist whose disappearance triggered a major five-day search walked into woodland and took her own life, a coroner has ruled. Joanne Jones, 49, failed to return home after setting out for a hike dressed in walking boots, a raincoat and carrying a rucksack.
Her husband Nick Jones, guitarist with the band Sister Morphine, later discovered a note in her bedroom and alerted police.
CCTV showed the 49-year-old walking through Pontypridd in South Wales wearing boots and a raincoat, with a rucksack on her back.
At one point, she appeared to smile and wave at a passing car, among her final sightings.
A huge search operation was launched in the St Gwynno forestry near Llanwonno with helicopters, drones, sniffer dogs and dozens of volunteers scouring the area. Her body was found in dense woodland five days later.
Coroner’s officer Keeley Mason told the hearing that Mr Jones had no concerns about his wife when he left for work at 7.30am.
She said: 'Later that afternoon he returned home and located a note left in the bedroom.
'He contacted police and a high-risk missing persons investigation was commenced.'
Coroner Graeme Hughes said further notes were found both at Mrs Jones' home and near where she was discovered hanged on October 26 last year.
Mr Hughes said the notes found 'indicate that she intended her actions to result in her own death' and recorded a conclusion of suicide.
In a statement following Mrs Jones' death, Sister Morphine, said they were 'devastated' and would take a break.
The post read: 'Understandably, music and social media matters must take a back seat as we rally around our bandmate at this unimaginably sad time.
'Thanks to all who have messaged us, and to those in the local community that devoted time to the search for Jo.'

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