A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a missing schoolgirl was found in parkland just 500 yards from her family home in south Wales. Gwent Police recovered the body of Lilly, 14, in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, at about 22:10 BST on Monday, two days after she was reported missing. The teenager, also from the Blaenau Gwent area, remains in police custody.
Lilly was last seen on the High Street in Blaina at around 18:50 on Saturday 20 June. A witness said they saw her near a kebab shop and she appeared to be waiting for someone. “I told her that she looked lovely. She crossed over and walked through the church yard,” the witness said. She was described as white, around 5ft 6ins tall, with a medium build and long black hair, wearing a long black dress and black sandals.
“Boy, 14, arrested on suspicion of murder after body of missing girl Lilly, 14, found in south Wales park.”
Her family launched a desperate appeal over the weekend. One relative posted: “Lilly, please come home my girl, I promise you’re not in any trouble no matter why or how, we just want you home. No matter where you are, find the nearest police station.” Her mother added: “Please bring my baby back home.” Another relative pleaded: “If someone is holding Lilly against her will, I can’t express how important it is for you to let her go.”
The community rallied to search for her. Katy Bennett, 44, a mother-of-two, said: “I searched very close to that spot and didn’t see anything, she must have been covered up. There were about 60 of us out looking for her in that area on Monday night. The whole community rallied around to look for Lilly. I left the search at 9pm but there were still people arriving to help at that time. She was found at ten past ten.” The body was discovered hidden in the undergrowth 50 yards from a bowls club being used for refreshments.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but Lilly’s family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers. A blue police tent stood about 100m into the park from a cordon, and floral tributes were left by members of the public. Officers patrolled the streets in twos and threes.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas, senior investigating officer, said: “We continue to have a significant police presence in the area and understand the concern amongst our communities at this time. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and we currently have one person in police custody being questioned. I’m asking anyone with information to please come and speak with us. I’d also encourage people not to speculate online as this is a live investigation.”
The murder investigation has been referred to the police watchdog, the IOPC, “in line with normal procedures”. Niamh Salkeld, a Plaid Cymru Senedd member for Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, said she was “deeply saddened by this tragic news. My thoughts are with Lilly’s family, friends and loved ones at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. This news will have shocked communities across Blaenau Gwent, particularly in Blaina.”