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Teenager, 14, charged with murder after girl’s body found ‘500 yards from home’

Pictured: Female teenager only identified as Lilly by Gwent Police. Re: Gwent Police has charged a 14-year-old boy with murder as part of our investigation in Blaina, Wales, UK. 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 white British boy was arrested after the body of a female was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina 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.
Lilly’s family has been informed of the discovery (Picture: Gwent Police/PA)

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after the body of a missing 14-year-old girl has been found.

Formal identification has not taken police, but Gwent Police said the body is believed to be of missing 14-year-old Lilly.

She was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22 just 500 yards from her home.

A 14-year-old boy, described by police as white British, from the Blaenau Gwent area, has been arrested.

The teenager, described by police as white British who cannot be named for legal reasons, is in custody and will appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

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Floral tributes were left close to the scene by members of the public.

Pictured here is Schoolgirl Lilly Jones. The headmaster of a tragic 14-year-old schoolgirl found dead in a beauty spot park has paid tribute to her "warmth and bubbly personality." Schoolgirl Lilly Jones was reported as a missing person by her worried family when she failed to return home from a trip to her home village high street on Saturday. Police launched a huge hunt in the close-knit village of Blaina, South Wales, before discovering a body half a mile away at around 10.10pm on Monday night. The discovery came just hours after her mother Gemma desperately appealed: "Please bring my baby back home." A schoolboy, also 14, of the Blaenau Gwent area, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Lilly's headteacher Gerard McNamara, of Brynmawr Foundation School, said her loss "will be felt profoundly" by students and staff. The school is closed today (Thurs) due to the hot weather but support continues to be available for any pupils affected by Lilly's death. Mr McNamara said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of one of our pupils, Lilly Jones. "She was a valued member of our school community, known for her kindness, warmth, and bubbly personality. Her loss will be felt profoundly by students, staff, and all who knew her. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. The school is providing support to pupils and staff who have been affected and we are working closely with relevant agencies to ensure that help is available to anyone who needs it." Worried locals had been searching for Lilly after she was last seen at 6.50pm on Saturday in the high street of the 4,000-population village. Drones were sent up as part of the police search before the grim discovery was made around half a mile from where she was last seen near a waterside walk in the Duffryn Park area, known as Pilgrims Park. Blaina Bowls Club, which acted as a base during the search, remains behind a police cordon at the scene. A statement from the club said: "Everyone at Blaina Bowls Club is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss suffered by one of our valued members Carl Jones and his family. "At this incredibly difficult time we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and let them know they are very much in our thoughts. "No words can truly ease such profound sorrow but we hope they can take some comfort in knowing that the entire Blaina Bowls Club family stands alongside them offering our love, support, and friendship. "We ask all members and friends of the club to keep the family in their thoughts and to respect their privacy as they come to terms with this heartbreaking tragedy. From all at Blaina Bowls Club we offer our sincere sympathy and unwavering support." A Gwent Police spokesman said formal identification is yet to take place but Lilly's family have been informed. The force said they have referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in line with normal procedures. An IOPC spokesman said: "We can confirm we have received a mandatory referral from Gwent Police in connection with this matter. The referral is now being assessed to see if the IOPC needs to be involved any further.??? WALES NEWS SERVICE
Formal identification has not taken police, but Gwent Police said the body is believed to be of missing 14-year-old Lilly (Picture: Wales News Service)

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.

‘Even though we’ve reached this significant development in our investigation, our enquiries continue and you will still see a significant police presence in the area.

‘Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place.

‘I would like to thank local residents for their continued support and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.’

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