'My son vanished on a beach seven weeks ago and nobody has seen him since' (2025)

The mother of a 38-year-old man, who went missing on a family holiday in Ceredigion, has spoken about how devastated she and her family are as they continue to search for him. Ashley Wilbraham, originally from Rhayader in Powys, was reported missing in the Borth area nearly seven weeks ago.

He was last seen on Ynyslas Beach at 6pm on Sunday, February 23 and there has been growing concern for his welfare. Dyfed-Powys Police has been appealing for help in locating Ashley since his disappearance. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

In an interview with WalesOnline, his mum Janine Wilbraham has spoken of the impact his disappearance has had on her and her family. She has also appealed to the public to continue to help in the search for her son.

Recalling the time Ashley went missing, the mum-of-four said: "We go on holiday twice a year in Borth. We rent a house that we have rented for the last four years - myself, Ashley, his two children, my other granddaughter and my sister Sandie.

"We went up on Saturday, we went out for a meal, everybody was very happy. Then on Sunday, we went for a walk on the beach with the dogs. Later on Sunday, the weather was a bit rough, so the kids were on their iPads.

"My son was very happy, we were discussing going to Ireland in May, we went down the shops and the guy at the shop told Ashley that they were showing the Liverpool game at the Cambrian Coast caravan park.

"So Ashley went down to the caravan park with his son, Riley, to watch the game at 5pm. They were having a laugh and a joke. Everything was good."

Following the game, Ashley and his 15-year-old son left the caravan park. At around 6.45pm that evening, Janine said that Ashley called her for a lift back to their rental property as the weather was rainy and stormy and he had forgotten his coat, which the family later found at the caravan park.

The father and son sheltered at a nearby bus station near Ynyslas Beach while they waited for Janine's sister, Sandie, to pick them up in the car, alongside Janine's two granddaughters. "They went there to find Ashley there, but no Riley," Janine explained. "Ashley was really distressed."

She continued: "They had a little argument, probably about the football, and Riley had gone off down towards the beach." Janine explained that Ashley got into the car as they searched for his son, who in the meantime had made it back to the bus shelter.

Janine said that Ashley was in a "state of panic", left the car as he decided to look for his son. The family found Riley safe and well, but there was no sign of Ashley, with the police called later that night.

The family, alongside Dyfed-Powys Police, have been looking for Ashley ever since. According to Janine, the search for him has been extensive, with Ashley’s siblings coming to the area using night vision cameras and drones. Helicopters, police dogs and the coast guards have also been involved in the search.

"There's been no sign, nothing," Janine said. "He had no coat, no phone, no money, because his cards are kept on his phone. He hasn’t spent any money, nothing’s been sent on Sunday night, no sign of him. I've been up to Borth nearly every other day. In the first month, I went there every day, just walking to see if there was anything, any sign."

She continued: "I'm just devastated. We are all devastated. We can’t get on with our lives. I’m constantly looking for him." She added: "We just don’t know what has happened. We are absolutely gutted."

The search continues for Ashley, with the family and police appealing to the public for their help in finding him. Ashley is described as approximately 6ft tall, of thin build with brown hair. On the day he went missing, Ashley was wearing blue jeans and a blue checked shirt and brown leather shoes.

Following his disappearance, Dyfed-Powys Police asked residents to check nearby buildings. In a statement, they said: "Police are asking residents to check their outbuildings, such as garages and sheds as well as any vacant caravans in the area, in case Ashley has sought shelter.

"We are also asking the public to be extra vigilant and report any abandoned clothing to police to determine whether it belongs to Ashley and to check and review CCTV cameras, ring video doorbells, GoPros, dash cam footage or any other source of video imagery that may capture Ashley in and around the area."

Addressing the public who could help in their search, Janine said: "Even if you see someone that looks like him, get in touch. Seven weeks in, he might have a beard by now. He's very tall and slim, so quite a noticeable person.

"He's a friendly person, he talks to everybody and gets on with everybody that meets him. I've had so many messages saying how lovely and amazing he is. If anyone sees anything in Borth or Ynyslas, even around that area, get in contact. Any sightings, even when you think it’s not relevant - anything at all, let us know." Addressing Ashley, Janine said: "We are all desperate to get him back. We won't be cross, we just want you back."

Do you have any information that could help police locate Ashley? Contact them by clicking here, e-mailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or calling 101, quoting the reference number 369 of February 23.