See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:07 BST, 23 June 2026 | Updated: 12:36 BST, 23 June 2026
A murder investigation has been launched after a body was found in the search for a missing teenager.Named only by police as Llily, the 14-year-old was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of former mining village Blaina, near Ebbw Vale, on Monday night.Worried locals had been searching for Lilly after she was last seen wearing a long black dress in the town's high street around 6.50pm on Saturday. Locals said Lilly's phone had been turned off from around 6.30pm Saturday and her last known sighting was 20 minutes later. A resident claims she saw Lilly 'outside the kebab shop' on the night she disappeared and it 'looked initially like she was waiting for someone.'She said: 'I told her that she looked lovely. She crossed over and walked through the church yard.'Drones were sent up as part of the police search before the body was found around half a mile from where she was last seen, near a waterside walk in Pilgrims Park. Her mother later desperately appealed: 'Please bring my baby back home.' Lilly was reported missing by her worried family before police discovered a body late on Monday night in the Duffryn Park area near Ebbw Vale, South WalesA police spokesperson said: 'Gwent Police has launched a murder investigation after the body of a female was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday 22 June, at about 10.10pm.'Formal identification has yet to take place, however the family of Lilly, aged 14, who had been reported as missing to Gwent Police has been informed.'Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas, said: 'We understand that this will cause distress and concern amongst our communities.'We have a large police presence in the area at this time as enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death. 'Our officers are here and available for you to speak to. We encourage anyone with information to please speak with us or you can contact us on the usual channels.'A previous appeal from Gwent Police to find Lilly said: 'We're appealing for information to find Lilly, 14, who is missing.'Lilly, from Blaina, was last seen in High Street, Blaina at around 6.50pm on Saturday 20 June.'She is described as white, around 5ft 6 inches tall, with a medium build and long black hair.'Lilly was last seen wearing a long black dress and black sandals.'She has known links to areas in Brynmawr.'This is breaking news, more follows.
