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The sister of April Jones, the five-year-old girl abducted and murdered in 2012, has spoken publicly about the ongoing trauma she endures from the devastating loss. Hazel Jones, now 31, revealed that she is “still waiting to wake up from the nightmare” that began when April disappeared near their home in the Welsh town of Machynlleth. Hazel described how the brutal death of her younger sister has profoundly shaped her life, making it difficult to find closure or fully come to terms with the tragedy.
April was playing with friends on her pink bicycle in the quiet streets of Machynlleth when she was abducted by Mark Bridger, who was later convicted of her murder. Despite extensive searches, April’s body was never recovered; only fragments of her remains were found in Bridger’s cottage, including bone fragments found among ashes in his wood burner. Bridger claimed he accidentally ran April over but could not remember where he had disposed of her body. During the trial, it was disclosed that blood was discovered near knives in his home, and disturbing Facebook images of local young girls, including April and her sisters, were found on his devices. Bridger received a whole-life tariff and was condemned by the judge as a “pathological liar” and a paedophile.
Hazel’s account of the moment she was informed of April’s disappearance is heart-wrenching. She recalled being at home when her mother broke the news to her, initially unable to believe what she was hearing. The reality of April being truly missing only settled in the following day as Hazel rushed to be with her family in Machynlleth. Despite the passage of time, Hazel expressed that she still cannot shake the shock, confessing that she never thought such a tragedy could happen to them in their close-knit community. The loss has also overshadowed her own family life, as Hazel, now a mother of three, struggles with the ongoing impact the trauma has on her children.
The case of April Jones shocked the United Kingdom, not only for the horrific nature of the crime but also the way it highlighted the vulnerability of children in small communities. Hazel’s decision to speak out shines a light on the long-lasting effects of such a loss on families left behind. Her testimony reflects a mixture of grief, anger, and the difficult journey toward healing. Though April’s remains were never fully found, Hazel’s words ensure that April’s memory persists, underscoring the vital need for justice and awareness around child protection
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