Gwent Police have charged a 14-year-old boy with the murder of missing schoolgirl Lilly Jones after a body was discovered in Duffryn Park, Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, Wales. The remains, found late on Monday 22 June following an extensive search, are believed to be those of the 14-year-old, who had been missing since Saturday 20 June.
Discovery and investigation
Officers located the body in the Duffryn Park area shortly after 10pm on Monday. While formal identification has yet to take place, police confirmed that Lilly's family has been informed and is receiving specialist support. The teenager arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder has now been charged and remains in custody, due to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday 26 June.
Police released Lilly's first name with her family's knowledge because it will form part of the court proceedings. She had last been seen in High Street, Blaina, at around 6.50pm on Saturday 20 June. Cordons remain in place across Blaina, including Duffryn Park, as detectives continue their investigations and increase police presence in the area.
Police statement
A Gwent Police spokesperson confirmed: "Gwent Police has charged a 14-year-old boy with murder as part of our investigation in Blaenau Gwent. The teenager from the Blaenau Gwent area, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in police custody to appear before Newport Magistrates Court on Friday 26 June." The spokesperson added that the white British boy was arrested after the body of a female was found in Duffryn Park on Monday 22 June at about 10.10pm. "While formal identification has yet to take place, the body is believed to be Lilly, a 14-year-old girl who was reported as missing. We are releasing Lilly's name at this point, with her family's knowledge, because it will form part of the court proceedings and be a matter of public record."
Tributes and school response
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time. We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing investigation. It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice." He added that examinations of scenes will continue over the coming days and thanked local residents for their support.
Brynmawr Foundation School, where Lilly was a pupil, described her as someone known for "kindness, warmth, and bubbly personality." The head teacher said her loss will be felt "profoundly" by all who knew her, and she was a "valued member of the school community." Floral tributes have been left near the scene by members of the public.
Appeal for information
Police are asking anyone with CCTV footage or information that could help the investigation to speak to officers, contact them via 101 quoting reference 2600194414, or report online.
