Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the murder of Lilly Jones, a 14-year-old schoolgirl who went missing on Saturday evening. Her body was discovered on Monday in undergrowth near Blaina Bowls Club, approximately 500 yards from her home in Blaina, a former mining village in the South Wales Valley.
Lilly was last seen at 6:50 p.m. on Saturday. Her body was found by two individuals who were searching for her. Gwent Police, who are leading the investigation, have confirmed the arrest of a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of murder. He was apprehended at a local school and is cooperating with police inquiries. Forensic officers have conducted a search of his home in Blaina, reportedly seizing a computer and kitchen knives.
Locals have reported that the arrested boy allegedly posted a TikTok video of Lilly on Saturday night. A mystery in the case is that Lilly's phone was turned off, which friends say is uncharacteristic of her. Police are investigating reports that she may have been followed to the park adjacent to the bowls club on the night she disappeared.
The Blaina Bowls Club clubhouse has been utilized by Gwent Police as a base for their investigation. Club chairman Matt Stuart-Douek stated that members were having a drink at the clubhouse for about an hour and a half after returning from an away match around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday. He confirmed that no screams were heard during that time. Stuart-Douek also mentioned assisting in the search for Lilly until her body was found on Monday night.
The community has been deeply affected by the incident, with residents expressing fear and concern for their children. Flowers have been laid at the entrance to Duffryn Park, where Lilly was found. St. Peter's Church in Blaina has opened a book of condolences. Lilly was a student at Blaina Comprehensive School.
Police are conducting house-to-house inquiries and requesting doorbell camera footage to establish Lilly's movements and whether she was alone prior to her death.