MYSTERY continues to swirl over the death of a 14-year-old schoolgirl after her body was found hidden in the undergrowth just yards from her home.
Lilly Jones had been reported missing on Saturday after failing to return from a trip to the high street with residents in Blaina, Wales, launching a frantic hunt to find her.
Tragically, Lilly’s body was found in the Duffryn Park area around 10.10pm on Monday night as police intensified their search.
The schoolgirl had disappeared “with her phone switched off” on Saturday – and cops have since arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of murder.
But the tragic find was made just 500 yards from her family home in Blaina, South Wales, as the desperate three day search came to a devastating end.
Lilly was also found just 50 yards from the town’s bowls club, which had opened up to give refreshments to the search parties.
It is understood that locals were asked to meet at Duffryn Park for the search with the bowls club used as a starting point and base.
Mum-of-two Katy Bennett, 44, said: “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.”
Lilly’s family and friends had been making desperate pleas for the teenager to come home as she had been missing for three days before her body was found.
They said her disappearance was “very out of character”, adding the devastating plea “please get her home”.
Lilly’s distraught mother, nail technician Gemma Jones, put out an appeal saying she was hoping her daughter had gone to Cardiff.
Earlier a family friend had posted online: “Please keep a look out for Lilly, last seen Sat 20th around 6.30 in Blaina, wearing black top, skirt and sandals. Very out of character, phone switched off.
“Anyone who knows anything just do the right thing please, it’s been long enough.
“Lilly your family will welcome you back with open arms, don’t be afraid to go home babes. Please get her home.”
Cops confirmed yesterday that a boy – also 14 – has been held on suspicion of murder.
Volunteers who searched for the schoolgirl believe her killer tried to hide her body in the dense undergrowth next to a cycle path.
The small South Wales valley town, near Abertillery, was in shock yesterday when police revealed “quiet and gentle” Lilly had been murdered.
School friends were sent home early and girls were seen crying and hugging each other in the street.
Neighbour Wayne Edwards said: “The whole town is devastated, not just people who knew Lilly and her family but everyone.
“I used to see her out playing in the street but over the last few years she would be out with her friends.
“The search for her was huge, the helicopter was circling all day and drones were flying. It’s tragic that she was found so close.”
Gwent Police Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas urged the public to avoid speculation and added: “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.”
The force added that the incident had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) “in line with normal procedures”.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas of Gwent Police, 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.”
He added: “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.”
