A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the discovery of a missing 14-year-old girl’s body, Gwent Police said.
The teenager, from the Blaenau Gwent area, was arrested following the discovery of the body in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22.
Formal identification has not taken police, but police said the body is believed to be that of a 14-year-old missing girl called Lilly.
The teenager, described by police as white British who cannot be named for legal reasons, is in custody and will appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Police said they were releasing Lilly’s name with her family’s knowledge because it will form part of the court proceedings.
She had been reported missing having last been seen in High Street, Blaina, at around 6.50pm on Saturday June 20.
Parts of Pilgrims Park, which is adjacent to the A467 in Blaina, were cordoned off after the body was discovered.
Floral tributes were left close to the scene by members of the public.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time.
“We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing investigation.
“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.
“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, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place.
“I would like to thank local residents for their continued support and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.”
Police are asking anyone with CCTV footage or information which could help the investigation to speak to officers, contact them via 101, quoting reference 2600194414, or online.
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