A BOLTON father has paid tribute to his teenage daughter after her body was found in a disturbed grave.

Jayden Parkinson, aged 17, vanished in Didcot, Oxfordshire, on December 3. Her 22-year-old ex-boyfriend, Ben Blakeley, appeared in court earlier this week, charged with her murder.

The body, which was found in the graveyard at All Saints’ Church in Didcot, has not yet been formally identified, but police believe it is Jayden.

Police also believe Jayden may have been pregnant when she died, but have been unable to confirm it.

Her father, Paul Parkinson, who left Breightmet High School in 1987, paid a moving tribute to his daughter on Facebook.

He said: “Good night baby girl, I will miss you so much and I love you always.

“Baby, I hope God will look after you now and I am so, so sorry baby for letting you down.

“Please forgive me and love you always, dad.”

Jayden’s uncle, Darren Parkinson, added: “RIP Jayden Parkinson, heaven has a beautiful angel now.”

Police are now waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to establish a cause of death.

Det Chief Supt Andy Murray, from Thames Valley Police, said Jayden’s family had been left “heartbroken and devastated” by the discovery of the body.

A 17-year-old boy from Didcot, who has been charged with perverting the course of justice, has also appeared in court and is due to appear again on March 17. He is accused of helping dispose of Jayden's body.

Jayden was last seen leaving Didcot railway station at 4.30pm on December 3.

Det Chief Supt Murray said: “We have prepared Jayden’s family for the worst, but I am afraid nothing can prepare you for the loss of your child.

“They remain heartbroken. They remain devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this time.”


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Didcot MP and communications minister Ed Vaizey added to the tributes.

He said: “This is very sad news indeed and we have needlessly lost a young person who had her whole life ahead of them.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Jayden’s family, who must be suffering unimaginable distress.”