A 14-year-old girl, Lilly Anne Jones, was found dead in Duffryn Park, Blaina, south Wales, on June 22, two days after being reported missing. An inquest at Gwent Coroner’s Court confirmed she died from multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk. A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with her murder and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court last month.
Lilly was last seen in High Street, Blaina, around 6:50 PM on June 20. Her body was discovered shortly after 10 PM on June 22 in a woodland area near the bowls club. Emergency services were called, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Senior Coroner Caroline Saunders stated the provisional cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk. A post-mortem examination was conducted by Dr. Richard Jones. The coroner adjourned the inquest to April 6, 2027, due to ongoing police investigations. The boy’s trial is set to begin on November 23, 2023, and is expected to last four weeks.
Floral tributes were left near the park by members of the public. Lilly’s family, including her mother Gemma Jones and aunt Zoe Jones, had appealed for her safe return before her body was found.