SECOND FAMILY TRAGEDY: GIRL, 11, FOUND DEAD AFTER LOSING HER FATHER TO CANCER THREE YEARS AGO

Miya Deamer-Jones was remembered as a caring and cheerful child after her sudden death shocked a quiet Worcestershire village

An 11-year-old girl who was found dead near a village cricket ground had already experienced the devastating loss of her father, who is believed to have died from cancer three years ago.

Miya Deamer-Jones, also known locally as Mia, was reported missing from Elmley Castle, Worcestershire, at around 11:20 p.m. on Sunday.

Her body was later discovered close to Elmley Castle Cricket Club, only a short distance from her family home.

West Mercia Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. At this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained, and detectives have said they are not looking for a third party in connection with the incident.

A FAMILY ALREADY MARKED BY LOSS

Miya’s death has brought another devastating loss to a family that had already suffered the death of her father.

According to reports, her father died after a battle with cancer around three years ago.

A source told The Sun that Miya had missed her father deeply, saying he died at the family home.

Miya was one of four sisters and lived with her mother and at least one of her siblings in the village.

Those who knew the family described them as close and well-liked within the community.

The Times reported that people who knew Miya remembered her as a caring child who looked after her younger sisters and showed kindness toward other children at school.

A QUIET VILLAGE LEFT IN SHOCK

Miya had reportedly been playing with a friend at home on Sunday afternoon.

It is believed she later went toward the nearby cricket field, an area where local children would regularly gather.

When she failed to return home, her family began searching the village.

Police were eventually contacted at around 11:20 p.m., and a major response followed.

Her body was later discovered near the cricket ground.

The news has left residents of the normally quiet village deeply shaken.

Flowers, including sunflowers, have been placed near the scene, while classmates and members of the community have left emotional messages remembering the young girl.

One school friend left a heartbreaking tribute describing how difficult it would be to cope without Miya and saying she would always remain part of their heart.

TORCHLIGHT SIGHTING ADDS TO QUESTIONS

One local resident, retired man Nicholas Farrington, said he had been walking his dog at around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday when he noticed people carrying torches near the cricket nets.

The sighting happened several hours before Miya was reported missing.

He later said the sight of the lights had seemed unusual, but he thought nothing more of it at the time.

Police are aware of information from the area as they continue piecing together the timeline. However, the torchlight sighting should not be interpreted as evidence that anyone else was involved in Miya’s death.

POLICE URGE PEOPLE NOT TO SPECULATE

The investigation remains ongoing.

Chief Inspector Daniel Pilkington of West Mercia Police said officers understood the enormous impact the death of a young girl was having on the community.

He said detectives were keeping an open mind while working to establish what happened.

Police have also stressed that there is currently nothing to suggest a wider risk to the community, and they are not seeking a third party in connection with the death.

The girl’s family continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

Meanwhile, police presence in Elmley Castle is expected to remain increased while enquiries continue.

A CHILD REMEMBERED BY HER COMMUNITY

For those who knew Miya, the investigation is only one part of the tragedy.

She is being remembered not simply as an 11-year-old at the centre of a police investigation, but as a daughter, sister, school friend and member of a close-knit village.

Her family had already endured the loss of her father.

Now, three years later, they are facing another devastating bereavement.

As flowers continue to appear near the cricket ground, the community waits for answers while remembering a young girl whose life ended far too soon.

For now, police have asked people to avoid speculation and allow investigators to establish the facts surrounding Miya’s death.