The family of a 14-year-old schoolgirl found dead close to her home in Blaina, Wales, have spoken of the 'torture' she was put through. Lilly Jones was discovered in dense undergrowth near the town's bowls club in Duffryn Park on Monday evening, June 22, 2026.
Family thanks community but demands respect
In a statement, the family expressed gratitude to volunteers who searched for Lilly. 'Thank you so much to everyone who shared, searched and helped us we can never thank you all enough,' they said. 'Thank you for all the support. The messages. This community has stood together and we appreciate every single person.'
They also asked people to stop approaching them, noting they had received hundreds of online requests from individuals who did not live locally. 'This is not gossip. This is our baby's life and the torture she has been put through,' they added.
Search and discovery
Lilly was last seen on the High Street in Blaina at around 6:50pm on Saturday, June 20. Witnesses reported seeing her at a kebab shop where she appeared to be waiting for someone. A search involving helicopters and dozens of volunteers was launched, with the family appealing for 'anyone who had her to let her go'.
Her body was found at 10pm, hidden in undergrowth 50 yards from the bowls club, which was being used to provide refreshments for searchers. Mum-of-two Katy Bennett, 44, who joined the search, told The Sun: '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.'
Arrest and investigation
A 14-year-old boy from the Blaenau Gwent area has been arrested and is being held in police custody. The murder has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) 'in line with normal procedures'.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas 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, you can do this in person, or you can contact us on the usual channels. I'd also encourage people not to speculate online as this is a live investigation and such comments can have an impact on our ability to bring anyone, found to have committed a criminal offence, to justice.'
