Blaina Teen Murder Investigation
Police Launch Murder Investigation After Teenager Lilly Jones Found Dead in Blaina Park
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Key Points
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Drones were deployed as part of the police search in Duffryn Park and the surrounding area before Lilly’s body was located in a waterside part of the park.
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Lilly’s phone appeared to be switched off from around 6:30pm on Saturday, with her last known sighting reported about 20 minutes later in Blaina.
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A local villager reported seeing Lilly outside a kebab shop on Saturday evening, recalling that she looked lovely as she crossed toward the church.
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News reports have described Lilly as a white girl, about 5ft 6in tall with a medium build and long black hair.
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Police issued a specific contact reference for information: 2600197059, while confirming a large police presence and ongoing inquiries in the Duffryn Park area.
A murder investigation is underway in Blaina, South Wales, after the body of 14-year-old Lilly Jones was found in Duffryn Park late Monday night. Gwent Police discovered her body at around 10:10pm in a waterside section of the park, roughly 51 hours after she was last seen alive on the town's High Street.
Lilly had been reported missing on Monday, June 22. She was last spotted at 6:50pm on Saturday, June 20, near a kebab shop on Blaina High Street, wearing a long black dress and black sandals. No arrests have been made. Police are asking anyone with information to call using reference number 2600197059.
Drones and a Helicopter Searched the Park Before Discovery
Gwent Police launched an extensive search of Duffryn Park on Monday evening. They deployed drone units and a National Police Air Service helicopter to scan the park and surrounding valley terrain. The search focused on hard-to-reach areas near the water. At 10:10pm, officers found a body in the waterside section of the park.
Lilly's phone had gone dark roughly 20 minutes before her last known sighting. It was recorded as switched off or losing signal at around 6:30pm on Saturday. LBC reported that a local witness saw her outside a kebab shop shortly after, noting she "looked lovely" as she crossed the road toward the church. That witness account is now part of the inquiry.
Police Confirm Murder as Community Reels From the Loss
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas is leading the Major Incident Team. He confirmed the death is being treated as murder. "We understand that this will cause distress and concern amongst our communities," he said. "Our officers are here and available for you to speak to." A forensic cordon was placed around the park by Tuesday morning.
Local councillor Lisa Winnett described the mood in Blaina as one of total shock. "The community is totally devastated," she said, according to WalesOnline. "This outcome is totally unimaginable for us all." She added that it remains unknown whether the attack was random or whether the perpetrator was known to Lilly — a detail driving significant local anxiety.
Who Was Lilly Jones and What We Know About Her
Lilly Jones was 14 years old. Gwent Police described her as a white girl, about 5ft 6in tall, with a medium build and long black hair, often worn in braids. She was a Blaina resident with connections to the nearby town of Brynmawr. Formal identification had not yet taken place as of Tuesday morning, but her family had been informed of the discovery.
Devon Live and Bristol Post both reported that Lilly was last seen wearing a long black dress and black sandals. Police have not yet released details about the condition in which she was found, keeping those facts back to protect the integrity of the investigation.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
Gwent Police say a large police presence will remain in Blaina. Officers are available on the ground for residents to speak to. A post-mortem examination will be a key next step. Its results will help determine the exact cause of death and shape what specific charges are eventually filed once an arrest is made.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Gwent Police directly. The reference number for the case is 2600197059. Blaenau Gwent — the local authority covering Blaina — has the highest crime rate per capita in Wales, recorded at 96.09 crimes per 1,000 residents, according to Head Topics. Local leaders are expected to call for a review of park safety and lighting in the coming days.
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