Gwent Police have launched a murder investigation after a body was found in the Duffryn Park area of blaina at about 22:10 BST on Monday. The discovery came after 14-year-old Lilly was reported missing, and police said her family has been informed.
Lilly was last seen on the High Street in Blaina on Saturday evening. Gwent Police said formal identification of the body has yet to take place, so the investigation is moving ahead while that process remains unresolved.
Det Ch Insp Steven Thomas
Det Ch Insp Steven Thomas said enquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death. He said police had a large presence in the area and that officers were available for people to speak to.
“We understand that this will cause distress and concern amongst our communities.”
He added: “We have a large police presence in the area at this time as enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death. Our officers are here and available for you to speak to.”
Thomas also said: “We encourage anyone with information to please speak with us or you can contact us on the usual channels.”
High Street in Blaina
The timeline leaves a narrow gap between Lilly being seen on Saturday evening and the body being found on Monday night. That is the central fact police now have to test as they work through the circumstances of the death.
For people in Blaina and Blaenau Gwent, the practical step is simple: if they saw anything around the High Street in Blaina or the Duffryn Park area, police want them to come forward. The family has already been told, and officers are still in the area while the murder investigation continues.
