Girl, 14, found dead in Gwent park died from stab wounds, inquest hears

A 14-year-old girl who was found dead in a south Wales park is believed to have died from multiple stab wounds, an inquest has heard.

Lilly Anne Jones was reported missing on 20 June. Two days later, her body was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina.

Gwent Coroner's Court heard during an inquest opening on Monday that the 14-year-old was discovered shortly after 10pm in the woods near the bowls club with injuries to her chest and neck.

She was pronounced dead at 10.45pm on 22 June, the court heard.

Senior coroner Caroline Saunders told the court that after a post-mortem examination, conducted by Dr Richard Jones, the cause of death has been preliminarily listed as "multiple stab wounds to the neck and trunk".

The hearing was then adjourned, with a provisional inquest date set for 6 April 2027.

Blaina is in the South Wales valleys, about 18 miles north of Cardiff.

It comes after a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with Lilly's murder.

He appeared at court on 29 June, where he did not enter a plea to the murder charge and was remanded into custody until his next court appearance.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, fixed a trial date beginning on 23 November, due to last four weeks.

(c) Sky News 2026: Girl, 14, found dead in Gwent park died from stab wounds, inquest hears