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Dublin: 12 °C Sunday 19 May, 2013

Police searching for April Jones to hold press conference this afternoon

Police are continuing to question Mark Bridger about the 5-year-old’s disappearance as the search for her continues.

Image: Dyfed-Powys Police

POLICE IN WALES who are searching for any sign of missing five year old April Jones are to hold a press conference this afternoon.

Investigators have until just before 5pm today to question local resident Mark Bridger who yesterday was arrested on suspicion of the murder of the child, who has been missing since Monday night from near her home in the village of Machynlleth in mid Wales.

She was last seen getting into a vehicle – a Land Rover believed to belong to Bridger – at around 7.30pm on Monday. The Telegraph reports today that she had been allowed to stay out playing later than usual because she had received a glowing school report.

Dyfed-Powys Police have said that there will be a media briefing at the Welsh Assembly Government Building in Aberystwyth this afternoon. They have set the time for 3pm but have asked for flexibility around the timing of the conference. They anticipate that it will take place before 5pm.

Bridger is currently being questioned in Aberystwyth police station.

The search for April has now entered its sixth day after efforts were hampered by bad weather overnight. Police have said that overnight searches have also been halted because “you search at night because you want to find someone alive”.

Superintendent Ian John said that searching during the day is safer and will make it easier to collect forensic evidence if necessary, according to The Guardian.

Comments on this article have now been closed as it now relates to an ongoing court case. The latest on the story is here.

Latest: Mark Bridger charged with murder and abduction>

Yesterday: Police given more time to question suspect over April Jones disappearance>

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Comments (30 Comments)

  • The poor little dote. Every morning I wake up hoping for some good news on her rescue but at this stage it really isn’t looking good. The efforts of the search teams are amazing though and if I could get over there to make them sandwiches and a hot cup of tea I would do it in a heartbeat. I hope they find her soon so her family can have some sort of closure.

  • Whether he is innocent or not, releasing his name and photo has guaranteed a lynch mob around every corner.

    We have no news of a motive, or a body, so it will be interesting to see if anybody can be charged with murder just yet.

    For the family’s sake, I hope a conclusion is reached soon.

    • The police said they ‘have significant forensic results’, from the search they did of his car….. Make of that what you choose to. The mans a fuc*ing monster, she was only a baby!

    • I totally agree. If he is deemed innocent it will be a nightmare. People will go nuts. The police will have wasted a lot of time and resources. All the while April still missing. I just hate these types of cases, so heartbreaking because you never really know.

  • let me question the bas@@rd hope he rots in hell

    • why can they use ‘methods ‘ on him such as truth serum.??

      I don’t think the police should be worried about his civil rights when there’s a chance the little girl is alive.

      go for it.

  • It seems like hope is fading :( never the less still praying and hoping she’s found safe and well.
    I really wonder what is going on, the police must know more than they are letting on to continue to extend questioning. I hope they have solid evidence and he cracks.

  • Karma’s a bitch, that monster will get what’s coming to him!!!!

    • If you can prove he did it, you should stop wasting your time here and get in touch with the police.

    • I would happily stand in line to spit in his worthless face, but at this stage he hasn’t been charged with anything and must be assumed innocent until proven guilty. I am absolutely in no way at all siding with him and if it turns out that he did murder her he should suffer unbearably for a very very long period of time.

    • to be honest i think we like to think there is Karma, makes us feel better to think some pay back is poss,.
      in this case if he is allowed out then the community will provide the justice that is due

  • for the child to accept what ever was said to encourage her in to the car there must have been a sense of safety
    and security , so would say she was on speaking terms with him
    every parents fear, to lose a child

  • have worked with sex offenders and child sex offenders , in all the years i have worked with that type of person
    i haven ever once heard one say sorry or show regret for the pain they have caused.

  • Guy has been charged with murder abduction and perverting the course of justice

  • Imagine if he is released all hell will break loose

  • His jeep was definitely the car she got into but I think he might be covering for whoever was driving it whether it was himself or someone close to him

    • I thought it was, she jumped in the drivers side ?
      its so human to be seeking some thing we can get our head around
      i think the police have fine details which they can not throw out to the community, it would hinder the case in court if they get that far with this person

  • We have only heard one side and maybe he was a poor sap that was in the wrong place at the wrong time .
    If he is innocent his life is ruined and in serious danger but if he had any hand act or part in the child going missing he will pay the price….With interest.

    • if he is convicted it will be the other inmates will provide justice once inside, unless they keep him away from other inmates

    • @Mike I agree with your comment and no matter how much we feel the need to have someone to blame, at this minute he has not been charged with anything and therefor has to be deemed innocent.

      We, as a people, are too quick to jump to the conclusion of guilty until proven innocent and that can ruin an innocent persons life just as much as the lives of the victims families.

      However, as you say, if he is found guilty of being involved, as I believe he is based on the length of time he has been held, he deserves everything he gets.

  • also on the DM website

  • Start pulling toe nails !

  • Hi first time on this site
    do you think the family know the person who is being held by the police

  • Jessface 06/10/12 #

    What really? Where is this?