Father of murdered girl April Jones dies suddenly

The father of a five-year-old girl who was murdered in 2012 has died suddenly at the age of 55, his family has said.

Paul Jones was diagnosed with a brain disease in 2018, six years after the death of his daughter April Jones.

April was abducted from near her home in Machynlleth, Powys, and murdered by paedophile Mark Bridger.

Mr Jones' stepdaughter, Jazz Jones, said on Tuesday: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) ed away early hours this morning."

"It was very unexpected and we are all in shock.

"Harley and myself will update people with further information as we know more but please give us our privacy to mourn our loss."

April went missing on 1 October 2012 but despite the biggest police search in British history, her body has never been found.

Mr Jones campaigned for tougher rules around the use of children's images online as well as ing other families of missing people and urging potential abs to seek help.

Family friend Allan Hughes described Mr Jones as "amazing".

"A lot of you knew him as the father of poor April Jones who was taken from us in 2012," he said in a post on social media.

"But myself and many more know him from being a great dad, son, brother and friend, also as part of the family.

"We grew up together in Penparcau and had many adventures.

"Now you will be reunited with April and your mam. Rest now peacefully Paul Jones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family."

Mr Jones suffered memory loss after contracting the brain condition encephalitis in 2018 and had to learn for a second time of his daughter's death.

April's mother, Coral Jones, told a Sunday newspaper how her husband had recognised the youngster in family photos used to jog his memory.

"He asked, 'what happened to April":[]}