An 11-year-old girl was found dead in a park near Elmley Castle Cricket Club in Worcestershire on Sunday night, prompting a police investigation. The girl, locally identified as Miya Deamer-Jones, was reported missing shortly before 11:20 p.m. Her body was later discovered in the vicinity of the cricket nets in the medieval village of Elmley Castle, close to Evesham.
West Mercia Police described the circumstances of Miya’s death as “unexplained” and confirmed that her family was receiving support from officers trained to assist those affected by bereavement. Chief Inspector Daniel Pilkington acknowledged the impact of the incident on the community, expressing condolences to the family and friends.
Miya lived with her mother and at least one of her four sisters in the village. Local reports indicated that she had been playing with a friend at home earlier on Sunday afternoon. It is understood that she then went to a nearby field where children often gather to purchase hot chocolate from the cricket club.
Residents reported hearing police sirens just before midnight and saw that an area close to the cricket nets had been cordoned off. Family members reportedly conducted searches around the village after Miya did not return home.
Friends and relatives have gathered at the family residence to support one another amid the tragedy. A school friend left a tribute at the scene reflecting on the depth of the loss, describing the difficulty of coping without Miya. Neighbors recalled that Miya’s father had died from cancer three years earlier, a loss which reportedly had a significant emotional impact on the family.
Flowers, including sunflowers, were placed on a bench near the park in memory of Miya. Chalk drawings were visible on the pavement outside the family home, where a trampoline was also seen in the garden.
Police have indicated that additional officers will maintain a presence in the area in the coming days as the investigation continues. No further details about the cause of death have been released at this time.