Boy, 14, arrested after schoolgirl found dead in park

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a schoolgirl was found hidden in a South Wales park.

Lilly, 14, whose surname has not been disclosed, was reported missing by her family in the Valleys town of Blaina on Saturday evening.

After extensive searches, her body was discovered in the town’s Duffryn Park at around 10.10pm on Monday.

On Tuesday, Gwent Police said a 14-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Det Ch Insp Steven Thomas, the senior investigating officer, 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.”

Lilly’s family had hoped she had gone to Cardiff with friends when she disappeared after 6pm on Saturday.

But her body was found less than 800m from her family home.

Volunteers who searched for the schoolgirl said they believed her body had been hidden in the dense undergrowth next to a cycle path.

Katy Bennett, a 44-year-old mother of two, 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 10.10pm.”

Another search party member said: “They found her under trees just up from the bowls club. People had already looked there so she must have been hidden.”

A police helicopter and drones were used in the 48-hour search for the missing schoolgirl, who was an only child.

‘Quiet and gentle’

Blaina was in shock on Tuesday after police revealed that “quiet and gentle” Lilly had been murdered.

School friends from nearby Brynmawr Comprehensive were sent home early and girls of her age were seen crying and hugging each other in the street.

A forensics tent was put up around the body in the town’s Duffryn Park.

Gwent Police said the murder of a much-loved teenager would cause “distress and concern” in the community.

Steve Jenkins, the previous owner of the family’s home, said: “It’s all very raw at the moment. Lilly was a lovely, quiet and gentle girl. I saw her grow up and remember [her] playing in the garden.

“We live in the same street and my son was friends with her. He’s so upset we’ve had to take him out of school. He was only talking to her on Thursday.”

Wayne Edwards, a neighbour, 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.”