Lilly Jones's family has issued a tribute through Gwent Police, describing their grief as beyond 'heartbroken' after the 14-year-old's body was discovered in Duffryn Park, Blaina, South Wales, on June 22. She had been reported missing two days earlier.
A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, has been charged with her murder and is scheduled to stand trial in November. An inquest at Gwent Coroner's Court revealed Lilly is believed to have died from multiple stab wounds to her neck and trunk.
Family's Tribute to 'Beautiful' Lilly
In a statement released Thursday evening, the family said: 'As a family, the word “heartbroken” doesn’t come close to what we feel. We’d like to focus more on Lilly and what a beautiful person she is rather than the horrific thing she’s been forced to endure.'
They described her as 'the most beautiful, kind and caring little girl we had the privilege to call our daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.' The family added: 'She is completely and utterly herself, she’s quirky and confident, sassy and dramatic and loves her music.'
Musical Passion and Advocacy
Lilly's eclectic taste in music ranged from My Chemical Romance to Kate Bush, and she 'absolutely unapologetically sang every word on the top of her voice, no matter who’s listening,' the family said. They noted she was 'amazing and accepting of all types of people, advocating for anyone who needed her to.'
The family expressed that their loss has left 'an unimaginable hole in not only our lives but in the whole community,' and thanked the community for support and donations.
Details of the Incident and Legal Proceedings
Lilly was reported missing from her home in Blaina on the evening of June 20. Her body was discovered in woodland in Duffryn Park shortly after 10pm on June 22, with injuries to her chest and neck. A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk.
The 14-year-old boy charged with her murder appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on June 29. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, fixed a trial date of November 23. The defendant, from the Blaenau Gwent area, has been described by police as white British.
