Boy, 14, Charged With Murder After Body Found in Search for Missing Girl in South Wales

Gwent Police have charged a 14-year-old boy with murder after a female body was discovered during the search for a missing teenager in south Wales.

The boy, from the Blaenau Gwent area and who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court later on Friday.

Officers located the body in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday during the search for Lilly, a 14-year-old girl who had been reported missing. Police believe the body is that of Lilly, though formal identification has yet to take place.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time,” Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said in a statement. He acknowledged the intense public interest in the case but urged caution: “It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.”

The Crown Prosecution Service’s Jenny Hopkins stressed that “there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

The case has sent shockwaves through the small community of Blaina, where police cordons remain in place at Duffryn Park as forensic examinations continue. Residents have been urged to come forward with any CCTV footage or information that might assist the investigation.

Det Ch Insp Thomas added: “Even though we’ve reached this significant development in our investigation, our enquiries continue and you will still see a significant police presence in the area. Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days.”

Anyone with information can contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting log reference 2600194414, or send a direct message via Facebook, X, or the force’s online portal.