Hazel Jones, the sister of tragically lost April Jones, opens up about her fears for her own children, 13 years after April’s devastating abduction and murder in Machynlleth. At just 5 years old, April was taken while playing near her home, and her body was never found.
Hazel, who was 18 and expecting at the time, shares how the event transformed her life. Now a mum to three, she’s grappling with letting her children explore the world in an age where online and offline dangers loom. Hazel’s daughter recently turned 13, the same age April would have been, heightening her anxieties. She reflects, “The world we live in is literally so scary.”
Recalling the day it all began, Hazel describes the disbelief and shock after learning her sister vanished. “I was at my own home when my mum told me ‘April’s missing.’ It took seconds that felt like minutes to realise what was happening.” Despite the search efforts and the conviction of Mark Bridger, the tragedy left a permanent mark on Hazel and her family.
Six weeks later, Hazel gave birth to Amelia, a bittersweet moment shadowed by the heartbreaking loss. Juggling grief and new motherhood, she saw her newborn’s resemblance to April, intensifying the emotional rollercoaster.
Even now, the ghost of April’s loss hovers over Hazel’s family life. She keeps memories of April alive, sharing stories and mementos with her children to ensure they understand both the beauty and the peril of the world they inhabit. “I want them to be wary of their own selves,” she says.
Hazel’s father, Paul, who never recovered from losing April, passed away earlier this year. According to Hazel, a piece of him left when April did. “All I think is that he is now back with April and at peace.”
Though time has passed, the heartache remains raw for Hazel, stating, “I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare.” It’s a poignant reminder for all of us about the preciousness of life and the importance of vigilance and love for our children in today’s unpredictable world.