Gwent tragedy: Tributes to pals Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, both 21, and Rafel Jeanne-Actie, 24, found dead in crashed car
TRIBUTES have been paid to three pals who died in a car crash after disappearing with two others on Friday night.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the horror crash.
Meanwhile, Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, are seriously injured in hospital.
The group had not been seen since enjoying a night out and were spotted using the bathroom at the Muffler nightclub in Newport, Wales.
Gwent Police this morning confirmed a car had been found, with three of the five friends tragically killed and two seriously injured.
Friends and family have today been telling of their shock and heartbreak.
One of the victims, Rafel is son of former Cardiff and QPR footballer Leon Jeanne.
He is being remembered as “lovely and kind” lad who “would do anything for his friends”.
One tribute on Facebook read: “I can’t get over it. I am gutted for your family. You will always be remembered.”
Meanwhile, “beautiful and bubbly” Eve starred in TV documentary after her sister was killed in car smash eight years ago.
One pal wrote: “Gutted and shocked to wake up to the news that Eve Smith and two others have passed away.
“Such a kind hearted strong woman, it don’t seem real, such a young age. So, so, so sad. Taken way too soon. RIP Eve.”
And Darcy had posted photos of her and Rafel partying that night.
The pic shows the pair smiling, with Rafel’s arm around Darcy.
It’s thought she posted the photo to her Snapchat story on the night they went missing.
A friend paid tribute to her saying: “I love you for ever my Darcy doll.
“My heart is absolutely broke to pieces. I will cherish our friendship for life.”
It comes as…
- Three pals were found dead in a crashed car after five people vanished while on a night out in Newport
- Eve Smith, 21, was confirmed dead by her family, who had tragically lost her sister in a crash eight years ago
- Two pals were pictured beaming on the night out before the tragedy
- The mum of Sophie Russon claimed cops told her to stop calling
- She has now revealed her agony at desperately searching for her daughter while she lay critically injured
- Haunting CCTV was shared by friends of the car before it vanished in the early hours of Saturday
- Police are now probing just what happened in the hours before the crash
The VW Tiguan they were travelling in was recovered just after midnight on Monday March 6.
Haunting CCTV showed the white car the group had been travelling in before it was involved in a road traffic collision and came off the A48.
The snaps, shared by the young people’s families during the search, show the white car carrying the friends.
Specialist officers are supporting the families of those involved and enquiries are ongoing.
It comes after Sophie’s mum told how she drove past where her missing daughter lay trapped for 48 hours alongside three of her dead friends.
Mum-of-three Anna Certowicz said: “I drove past her three times, she was 20 yards away lying there scared next to her friends who were dead.
“But I didn’t see her because of the trees and there was a dip – it’s a busy road, thousands of people must have gone past.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, or send a direct message on social media, quoting 2300071791.
The case has been referred to the IOPC in line with normal procedures.