A murder investigation has been launched after missing teenage girl, aged 14, has been found dead in Wales.
Named by Gwent Police only as Lily, she was discovered in the Duffryn Park, Blaina, in the south Welsh valleys on Monday evening, at around 10.10pm.
The teenager has been missing and was last seen in the town’s high street wearing a long, black dress and sandals around 6.50pm on Saturday.
A formal identification is yet to place place, Gwent Police has said, but the family of Lily have been informed.
Senior investigating Officer Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said there will be an increased presence in the area as enquiries continue.
“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.
A police handout of Lily
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PA
“We encourage anyone with information to please speak with us or you can contact us on the usual channels,” he said.
There is a police cordon roughly 100m into the park, where the top of a blue police tent can be seen, the BBC reports.
Officers are patrolling the area in groups, with an increasingly police presence entering the park.
Blaina is a town in the South Wales Valleys, situated in the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent between Brynmawr and Abertillery, with a population of around 4,800.
Duffryn Park where Lily’s body was found on Monday night
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GOOGLE STREET VIEW / DAFYDD WILCOX
The police have encouraged anyone with information to call Gwent Police on 101 or on their social media channels.
Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.