Lilly Anne Jones, a 14-year-old girl, died from multiple stab wounds after being found dead in a South Wales park, an inquest opening has revealed. Her body was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22, two days after she was reported missing.
Inquest Reveals Cause of Death
At Gwent Coroner's Court on Monday, senior coroner Caroline Saunders stated that a post-mortem examination by Dr. Richard Jones gave a provisional cause of death as 1A multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk. The inquest was adjourned for further inquiries, with a provisional full hearing date set for April 6, 2027.
Lilly, from Blaina, was last seen on High Street, Blaina, at around 6:50 pm on June 29. She was reported missing from her home on the evening of June 20 and was found shortly after 10 pm on June 22 in a wooded area near the bowls club, with injuries to her chest and neck.
Murder Charge and Court Proceedings
A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court last month accused of murdering Lilly. He did not enter a plea and was remanded into custody. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, fixed a trial date beginning on November 23, expected to last four weeks. The boy, from the Blaenau Gwent area, was described by police as white British.
Community Response
Parts of Pilgrims Park, adjacent to the A467 in Blaina, were cordoned off after Lilly's body was discovered. Floral tributes were left near the scene by members of the public. The case has shocked the local community, with many expressing their condolences and grief.
