A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the discovery of a body believed to be a missing girl in south Wales.
The body was found in the Duffryn Park area in the town of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent at approximately 10.10pm on Monday, Gwent police said in a statement.
No formal identification has taken place, but police said the family of Lilly, a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing on Saturday, had been informed.
The teenage boy, also from Blaenau Gwent, is now in police custody after detectives launched a murder investigation when the body was found. The force has urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
DCI 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.”
Gwent police launched a media notice for help finding Lilly on Monday afternoon after she was last seen on Blaina’s High Street at approximately 6.50pm on Saturday. Wales Online reported that two young people looking for her found the body.
Members of Lilly’s family had also issued frantic social media appeals to locate her. “[She] went out at 6.30 and hasn’t come home – very much out of character,” her aunt, Zoe Jones, wrote. “Lilly please come home my girl, I promise you’re not in any trouble … we just want you home.”
Lisa Catherine Winnett, a local councillor, said the community was “devastated” by the news. “My thoughts and prayers are with Lilly’s family at this devastating and awful time,” she said. “I hope police work promptly now to find the perpetrator.
“We are a close-knit community here in Blaina and the impact this has had on all of us is immense. Since Lilly was reported as missing there has been extensive searches by family, friends and members of the community. On Monday, police had drones searching and helicopters.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the searches. This outcome is totally unimaginable for us all.”
Agency pictures showed a police cordon and heavy police presence in the area on Tuesday. Forensic investigators and emergency services teams have been working in the Duffryn Park area since Monday night.
Members of the public have left flowers near the scene.
Winnett added: “Our vicar at St Peter’s Church Blaina has opened the doors for anyone in the community that would like to light a candle for Lilly, write in a book of condolence or just a chat with the clergy and a cup of tea following the devastating news.”