The Abduction and Murder of April Jones
April Sue-Lyn Jones was a 5-year-old girl from Powys, Wales, she was last seen getting into a vehicle near her home. A huge search for the girl began and the Prime Minister issued an appeal for information on her whereabouts.
On 2nd October 2012, less than 24 hours after April went missing, Mark Bridger, a 46-year-old local man, was arrested. On 6th October he was charged with child abduction, murder, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
April's body was never found however at trial the jury heard that fragments of human bone consistent with a 'younger individual' had been found in the fireplace of Bridger's cottage. Blood found in several parts of the cottage was matched to April's DNA and was enough to show April had suffered injuries which she could not have survived from. Bridger claimed he accidentally ran over April and could not remember disposing of her body. The prosecution accused him of being a 'pathological liar,' and 'a paedophile,' evidence included an extensive collection of child pornography found on his computer. Bridger was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. After the verdict it was revealed that Bridger claimed to have disposed of April's body in a fast flowing river, police stated they doubted this claim and believe he scattered April's remains throughout the countryside near his home.
