Boy, 14, arrested over murder of missing girl 'posted TikTok of her' before body was found next to bowls club just 500 yards from her home

Published: 18:40, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 18:40, 24 June 2026 A 14-year-old boy arrested over the murder of a schoolgirl whose body was found just 500 yards from her home allegedly posted a TikTok of her before she went missing. Lilly Jones, 14, was last seen at 6.50pm on Saturday in Blaina, a former mining village near Ebbw Vale in the South Wales Valley.  Her body was discovered in undergrowth next to Blaina Bowls Club on Monday by two young people who had gone out searching.  Members of the bowls team were having an evening drink after returning from an away match at the time Lilly went missing. They said no screams were heard.  Police officers are currently investigating reports that Lilly was followed to the park next to the bowls club on the night she died. A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder at a local school and is helping police with inquiries. Forensic officers raided his home in Blaina and a computer was taken away along with kitchen knives and other items. Lilly Jones, 14, (pictured) was last seen at 6.50pm on Saturday in Blaina, a former mining village near Ebbw Vale in the South Wales Valley A body was found in Pilgrims Park, Blaina, around half a mile away from where missing schoolgirl Lilly Jones, 14, was last seen on Saturday Gwent Police has launched a murder investigation with forensic officers scouring the scene Locals claimed the boy had posted a TikTok video of Lilly on Saturday night. Part of the mystery as to what happened is that Lilly's phone was turned off, something she would reportedly never do. Gwent Police are using the Blaina Bowls Club clubhouse as a base while they investigate the murder. Club chairman Matt Stuart-Douek, 39, said: 'We had an away match on Saturday and when we got back a few of the members asked me to open the bar. 'We got back at about 7.15pm and we were open for about an hour and a half. 'I know that's soon after Lilly went missing but nobody heard anything while we were there. There were no screams.' Father-of-three Mr Stuart-Douek had helped with the search for Lilly up until she was discovered hidden under trees next to the clubhouse at 10.10pm on Monday night. He added: 'This has shaken the entire community and people are scared to let their children out to play. 'It's sent a shock of fear right through the community. If someone is killed in an accident that's bad enough but this takes a lot more to process.' Lilly's parents Carl and Gemma, a nail technician, are with a police family liaison officer and are being comforted by family. A friend of Carl's said: 'I went to see him last night, I don't think it's really hit home what's happened. 'He's going through waves of emotion and wanted a few of his close friends around him. 'But while I was there I heard someone say there were puncture wounds and I had to go out. I didn't want to hear that.' A drone photograph shows the area police are investigating within Duffryn Park in Blaina People from miles around have turned up to lay flowers against a tree trunk at the entrance to Duffryn Park where Lilly was found dead.  Katherine Watkins, 37, and her five-year-old daughter Harper went to get a bouquet in nearby Abergavenny and the florist didn't charge them when she was told it was for Lilly. Harper's stepdad, retired undertaker Kevin Brown, 61, of Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, said: 'Harper had heard us talking about what happened to Lilly and she said she wanted to lay some flowers. 'This tragedy has touched people from far and wide. It's an awful thing to happen.' Pensioner Tracey Bennett wiped away tears as she laid flowers at the entrance to the park which is home of the bowls club and a local football team. She said: 'All my children were out looking for Lilly. We all thought she would be found alive. 'My son came home from work and said he wouldn't be going back until she was found. It's terrible to think about.' St Peter's Church in Blaina opened a book of condolences and invited people to light a candle in memory of Lilly. She was a pupil at Blaina Comprehensive school which was closed today due to the extreme temperatures. Police were making house-to-house inquiries in Blaina asking for doorbell video footage to discover Lilly's route into the park and if she was alone. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.