The father of murdered schoolgirl April Jones has sadly died without ever discovering his daughter's remains.
Paul Jones, aged 55, succumbed to a brain disease that began in 2018, seen as yet another blow for the family following the loss of five year old April who vanished close to their home in Machynlleth, Wales on 1 October 2012.
The disappearance triggered an immense search operation and even caught the attention of then-Prime Minister David Cameron.
Volunteers flocked to help alongside police and rescue crews in the extensive search for April, whose body remains unfound.
Investigations resulted in the apprehension of local man Mark Bridger, 46, who was later convicted for April's abduction and murder.
Announcing the heart-wrenching news on Tuesday, Jazz Jones, Paul's step-daughter, released a statement: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed 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.", reports the Mirror.
April Jones disappeared on October 1, 2012 while playing outside with a friend.
Her parents last saw her riding a pink bicycle at 7pm. At 7.29pm, when she failed to find her daughter, April's mother Coral called 999 to report her missing.
The investigation was quickly made into a “critical incident”, with officers and hundreds of civilians launching a widespread search.
Mark Bridger was arrested the day after April went missing, with the then 46-year-old matching the description of the man witnesses said they saw speaking to April and picking her up in a vehicle.
More than six months later, police called off the search,
Bridger was charged with child abduction, murder, and attempting to pervert the course of justice after DNA evidence found in his home suggested that he may have killed April.
Appearing before magistrates on October 8, he was additionally charged with the unlawful concealment and disposal of a body.
On January 14, 2013, Bridger pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, but did accept that he was “probably responsible” for April's death.
During the trial, he claimed that he had run the young girl over, but was not able to remember what he did with her body due to drinking heavily.