April Jones murder: The impact on Machynlleth

  • Wales
Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

April Jones was reported missing at around 7:00pm on the evening of Monday 1st October 2013, having last been seen playing outside her home on Machynlleth's Bryn-y-Gog estate.

Just hours before, the five-year-old had been swimming at the local leisure centre that would become the hub for the search operation that followed.

At 10.40pm, Dyfed Powys Police issued a statement saying they were 'increasingly concerned' for April. News of the schoolgirl's disappearance had already spread on social networking sites, prompting hundreds of local volunteers to form a search party at the same leisure centre April had visited hours before.

Hundres of local volunteers turned out to search for the missing five-year-old

As darkness grew, volunteer search teams continued to cover a 30-mile area around Machynlleth.

Come first light, the search began again. With so many people wanting to help, the teams needed organising.

Teams continued to search as darkness grew, and then turned out to hunt again at first light
Homemade posters were distributed to try to help locate the missing five-year-old Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Shops shut so people could focus on trying to find April, while restaurants donated food and drinks to volunteers.

Soon afterwards, police asked volunteers to step back and allow specialists to continue with their search - but described those who had helped as 'inspirational'.

Pink ribbons have come to symbolise April Jones' life in her hometown Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

At the request of April's parents Coral and Paul, the town of Machynlleth was soon adorned with pink ribbons - April's favorite colour - in tribute to her.

Special vigils were held and the town gathered outside April’s home releasing lanterns as a mark of respect.

Lanterns were released for April to provide hope and comfort during the darkest hours

Exactly one week after April went missing, a Sunday church service was held at St Peter's Church in Machynlleth.

Prayers were said for April, held by Reverand Kathleen Rogers and the Bishop of Bangor Andrew John.

Prayers were said for April Jones at St Peter's Church in Machynlleth exactly one week after she went missing Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects on the day of the church service, and a procession of more than 700 people walked slowly through Machynlleth as normal life came to a standstill.

Hundreds of people walked silently through Machynlleth on October 7th in tribute to April Jones Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

On April 4th this year - what would have been April's sixth birthday - the community turned out to celebrate and remember her.

April's mother Coral adorned the Bryn-y-Gog estate with pink bows and banners, and a host of pink balloons were released into the sky.

A memory board in April’s school has become a place for her friends to remember her. Parents have been advised not to let their children watch coverage of the trial to avoid distressing them.

Machynlleth residents say they are trying to strike a balance between moving on, yet never forgetting what they have lost Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Today life in Machynlleth is slowly returning to normal - but the five-year-old’s disappearance is rarely far from people's minds.

But locals say there is an overwhelming desire to move on from the events of October 1st - while never forgetting the little girl they have lost.