A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a body believed to be that of missing 14-year-old girl Lilly was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, on June 22
A 14-year-old boy is due to appear in court later charged with murder following the discovery of a missing 14-year-old girl’s body.
The teenager from the Blaenau Gwent area of south-east Wales, who is described as white British and cannot be named due to legal reasons, was remanded in police custody to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court, according to Gwent Police.
He was arrested after a body was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22. Formal identification has not yet been completed by the police, but they believe the body to be that of a missing 14-year-old girl named Lilly.
Police have released Lilly’s first name with her family’s consent as it will form part of the court proceedings.
She had been reported missing after last being seen on High Street, Blaina, around 6.50pm on Saturday, June 20. Parts of Pilgrims Park, which is adjacent to the A467 in Blaina, were cordoned off after the body was found.
Members of the public left floral tributes near the scene.
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.”
Officers are urging anyone with CCTV footage or details that might assist the investigation to speak to police, contact them on 101, quoting reference 2600194414, or online.