Boy, 14, arrested on suspicion of murdering missing 14-year-old Lilly
Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of murder after a body was found in Wales during the search for a missing 14-year-old girl called Lilly
Missing girl Lilly, 14(Image: Gwent Police)
A body thought to be that of a 14-year-old girl has been found in a park in Wales with police having arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of murder.
The discovery was made in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina in Wales on Monday, June 22, at around 10pm. Formal identification is yet to take place but the body is believed to be that of a missing girl called Lilly. Her family have been informed of the development.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder, Gwent Police say. The teenager, from the Blaenau Gwent area, is currently in police custody.
A large police presence remains in the area while officers work to establish how the girl died.
Pictures show a police cordon at the scene at Pilgrims Park in Blaina, Abertillery, on Tuesday morning. Emergency services have been working at the park since around 10pm on Monday, Wales Online reports.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas, said: “We continue to have a significant police presence in the area and understand the concern amongst our communities at this time.
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A police cordon is in place at Duffryn Park(Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
“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.”
Floral tributes have been left at the scene by members of the public, with one message reading “Rest in peace Lilly”, accompanied by a heart drawing.
Floral tributes left near Pilgrims Park in Blaina, Gwent, following the discovery of missing 14-year-old Lilly on Monday night. Picture date: Tuesday June 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Rod Minchin/PA Wire (Image: Rod Minchin/PA Wire)
Gwent Police appealed for information to find the missing teenager on Monday afternoon (June 22), saying she was last seen on High Street, Blaina, at around 6.50pm on Saturday, June 20. The girl was described by the police as white, around 5ft6in tall, of medium build and long black hair.
She was last seen wearing a long black dress and black sandals and was known to have links to areas in Brynmawr, a town just north of Blaina.
Local Councillor Lisa Catherine Winnett said the community is “totally devastated” with the “unimaginable” outcome. Ms Winnet said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Lilly’s family at this devastating and awful time.
“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.
A crime scene investigation van at Duffryn Park(Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
“Since Lilly was reported as missing there have 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.”
Anyone holding information about this incident is asked to contact the police quoting 2600197059.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Gwent Police says it has referred the incident to the IOPC in line with normal procedures.
