The body of 14-year-old Lilly Anne Jones was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22 after she was reported missing two days earlier. An inquest opening at Gwent Coroner's Court on Monday heard the teenager was found with injuries to her chest and neck. Senior coroner Caroline Saunders said a post-mortem examination was conducted by Dr Richard Jones, which provided a provisional cause of death: 1A, multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk.
Circumstances of the discovery
Lilly, from Blaina, was reported missing from her home address on the evening of June 20. She was last seen in High Street, Blaina, at around 6.50pm that day. Her body was found shortly after 10pm on June 22 in a woodland location near the bowls club. She was pronounced dead at 10.45pm. Parts of Pilgrims Park, adjacent to the A467 in Blaina, were cordoned off after her body was discovered. Floral tributes were left close to the scene by members of the public.
Legal proceedings
A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court last month accused of murdering Lilly. He did not enter a plea to the murder charge. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, fixed a trial date beginning on November 23, which is due to last four weeks. The youth, from the Blaenau Gwent area of south-east Wales, was previously described by police as white British. He was remanded into custody until his next court appearance.
Inquest adjourned
The coroner adjourned the matter, stating: 'The medical cause of death he has provided me with is 1A, multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk. The matter will be adjourned so that further inquiries can be made.' A provisional inquest date was set for April 6, 2027.
