THE heartbroken sister of a Vale mum who mysteriously disappeared in Spain has said her family have been left unable to remember her with joy on her 40th birthday while the prime suspect in her disappearance is still on the run.

A hunt was launched to find Lisa Brown, then 32, after she failed to collect her young son from his school in Guadiaro, near San Roque.

Dean Woods, who was officers’ prime suspect after the mum-of-one vanished while living abroad, failed to return to HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire on November 19 after being allowed out on day release.

Dean Woods is on the run

Dean Woods is on the run

The 40-year-old luxury yacht dealer, who also uses the alias Simon Corner, was serving a 12-year sentence for his role in an £8m cocaine ring in February 2020, was quizzed by detectives in the Costa Del Sol after Lisa, his ex-partner, went missing in 2015.

The authorities said they fear Lisa is dead and that foul play was likely to have been involved.

Lisa Brown would have celebrated her 40th birthday

Lisa Brown would have celebrated her 40th birthday

Derbyshire Police have since confirmed they are still on the hunt for the missing convict.

Lisa’s sister Helen Jordan said that what would have been her 40th birthday (January 13) was ‘harder than all the others’ for the family while they know Woods is still at large.’

She said on Facebook: “She’d be complaining she was old and I’d be taking advantage and buying her oil of Olay, hair net and Tena Ladies, but that would be on a happier day. She never managed to get old so [her birthday] just fills us with sadness.

“We love and miss you so much and wish you were here.”

Helen said she had released balloons at her mum’s grave to remember Lisa by.

The mum-of-one has not been seen since 2015 in Spain

The mum-of-one has not been seen since 2015 in Spain

She also told a national newspaper: “We don’t have anywhere to go to remember Lisa. The closest place we have is my mum’s grave.

“Lisa was a really kind and gentle person. She was thoughtful and she lived for her son - she was very protective.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: “We are continuing to make enquiries and appeal for information to find Dean Woods, who failed to return to HMP Sudbury on Thursday, November 19.

“We would urge anyone with any information to contact us, quoting reference 22000678445.”