Parents can finally plan April Jones's funeral
The parents of murdered schoolgirl April Jones can now begin to plan their daughter's funeral after her inquest was concluded without a verdict.
Five-year-old April was snatched from outside her home on the Bryn y Gog estate in Machynlleth on October 1 last year and murdered by paedophile Mark Bridger.
Louise Hunt, Powys coroner, opened and adjourned the inquest at a hearing in Welshpool yesterday and said there would be no further formal proceedings - paving the way for parents Coral and Paul Jones to hold April's funeral.
No details of the funeral have been confirmed, but it could be held at St Peter's Church in the town with mourners expected to be asked to wear pink – April's favourite colour and the colour of ribbons used as a sign of hope since her abduction.
At the inquest, Detective Superintendent Andy John of Dyfed Powys Police, who was the senior investigating officer in the case, read a statement to the court saying April had been subjected to a "violent death".
He explained the course of events, starting with the report of April being missing in October last year and led to murder conviction of Mark Bridger in May this year.
He told the hearing: "All the evidence suggests that April Jones was subjected to a violent death and on the balance of probabilities her death occurred at Mark Bridger's cottage, Mount Pleasant, Ceinws, on October 1, 2012."
April's parents Coral and Paul sat and held hands during the hearing.
Ms Hunt said there was no good reason to hold a full inquest following the criminal trial.
Turning to Mr and Mrs Jones, she said: "I hope this will help you come to the end of the formal proceedings. I would like to offer you my personal condolences for your terrible loss."
People in the town say as the year anniversary of April's murder approaches, the mood in the town is still grey.
Councillor Michael Williams, county councillor for the town, said: "I don't think a funeral will be a final goodbye but it will be another step in remembering all the wonderful times that the family had together.
"It will bring people together again in one place to remember the life of a little child that was taken so savagely from the family and community."
Councillor Williams, who lives on the Bryn y Gog estate himself, said that while life moved on, thoughts of April were never far from his mind.
He added: "Machynlleth will never be the same again.
"I must pay tribute to Coral and Paul Jones for the way they have conducted themselves in the last year as they have been an inspiration to all.
"They have handled the situation better than anyone could imagine and my thoughts and sympathies on behalf of the town go out to them."
Since April died, more than £70,000 has been donated to The April Jones Fund which was set up to raise money for local good causes, chosen by the family.
Celebrities including Catherine Zeta-Jones have donated items to auctions since last October to raise funds.
And last month an Eddie Stobart lorry was named April in her honour, and unveiled at a ceremony in Machynlleth.
