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April Jones vanished near her home in Machynlleth, Wales, on October 1, 2012, and despite an extensive search her body has never been found, with Mark Bridger convicted of her murder.

Paul Jones, 55, had suffered from a debilitating brain disease since 2018 and sadly lost his battle, marking another devastating blow for the Jones family.

Their lives were forever changed when five year old April disappeared on October 1, 2012, near their home in Machynlleth, Wales. The incident sparked a massive search operation, drawing volunteers and high-level attention from then-Prime Minister David Cameron.

The extensive search effort, though vast, was unable to recover April's body. Local resident Mark Bridger, 46, was subsequently arrested, tried, and convicted for April's abduction and murder.

In announcing Paul's passing, his step-daughter Jazz shared the painful news on Tuesday, saying: "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.", reports .

"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."

The case was rapidly declared a "critical incident", sparking an extensive search featuring police officers and hundreds of volunteers.

The following day, 46 year old Mark Bridger was arrested, fitting the profile of the individual seen talking to April and lifting her into a vehicle by witnesses.

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.