The family of a 14-year-old girl found dead in woodlands last month have described her as “the most beautiful, kind and caring little girl”, who was “completely and utterly herself”.
Lilly Jones was reported missing from her home in Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, on June 20, before she was discovered in Duffryn Park two days later.
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with her murder and appeared in court last week.
A short inquest hearing earlier this week heard the teenager’s preliminary cause of death was given as multiple stab wounds.
“As a family, the word ‘heartbroken’ doesn’t come close to how we feel,” her family said, adding that they wanted focus on “what a beautiful person she is”.
They said she had an “eclectic taste in music” ranging from My Chemical Romance to Kate Bush, and that she “absolutely unapologetically sang every word on the top of her voice, no matter who’s listening”.
“Lilly is the most beautiful, kind and caring little girl we had the privilege to call our daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend,” they added.
“We could write a book about how amazing and accepting of all types of people she is, advocating for anyone who needed her to.
“Our loss has left an unimaginable hole in not only our lives but in the whole community,” they said, thanking people for their “never-ending support and donations”.
