Family speak of ‘torture’ schoolgirl, 14, was put through after body found

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The family of a schoolgirl found dead close to her home have thanked all the volunteers who searched for her.

Lilly Jones, 14, was found in dense undergrowth near her town’s bowls club in Duffryn Park, Blaina, Wales.

In a statement, her family said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who shared, searched and helped us we can never thank you all enough.

‘Thank you for all the support. The messages. This community has stood together and we appreciate every single person.’

They asked people to stop approaching them having received hundreds of requests online from people who didn’t live locally.

‘This is not gossip. This is our baby’s life and the torture she has been put through,’ they added.

Lilly was last seen on the High Street in the town at around 6.50pm on Saturday, June 20.

Witnesses claimed to have spotted her at a kebab shop where she appeared to be waiting for someone.

A desperate search was launched involving helicopters, dozens of volunteers and a family appeal to ‘anyone who had her to let her go’.

Her body was found at 10pm hidden in the undergrowth 50 yards from a bowls club being used for refreshments for volunteeers.

A 14-year-old boy, from the Blaenau Gwent area, has been arrested and is being held in police custody.