THE TRAGIC father of murdered schoolgirl April Jones will be buried in the same grave as his five-year-old daughter, a relative has revealed.
Paul Jones, 56, died suddenly after contracting a virus eight years after being diagnosed with the brain condition encephalitis.
The former pub doorman died without ever discovering what April’s killer Mark Bridger did with her body after kidnapping her from a street where she was playing in 2012.
But some of April’s remains were found in Bridger’s cottage and they were buried in a grave in the little girl’s hometown of Machynlleth, North .
Paul’s stepfather Dai Smith, 72, said: “The arrangements are still being made but they’ll put him in April’s grave. That would be the fitting thing to do”;;.
Paul and April’s mum Coral Jones split up after the horrific murder and he was later diagnosed with encephalitis.
He went into a care home in because he could not look after himself.
“Paul was devastated by what happened to April and it’s fair to say he never got over it.
“People have said that he became ill because of the tragedy of losing his little girl but that’s not the case.
“It was more or less dementia; he had been in hospital for eight years and couldn’t remember anything about April.
“But he had long term memory – he could remember things from 30 years ago.
“”;;He was a fantastic man, very strong, he’d walk 15 miles with the and think nothing of it. He was fit and loved the outdoors.
“He went down from 13st to 8st and when he was first in hospital he would wander around the wards but didn’t know where he was.”;;
Mr Smith said the family believe his stepson contracted encephalitis from visiting a local pool.
Paul’s mother Linda died of cancer in July last year and was bitter over the way Coral had treated her eldest son.
Linda and her husband, who live in New Quay, Cardiganshire, felt Coral abandoned their son when he became ill.
Before she died Linda said: “In my book, if you marry someone it’s in sickness and in . I know Paul would have been there for Coral if it had been the other way around.”;;
The couple had a huge bust up with Coral over the way she treated Paul, and they never spoke to her again.
Mr Smith, who is still grieving for his wife, said: “She used to say it was a blessing that he couldn’t remember anything and I think she was right.”;;
Paul’s daughter, Jazz Jones, announced his tragic passing on Tuesday.
She said: “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.”;;
The 29-year-old told The Sun she is “heartbroken”;; over his death and the family still processing his loss.
“It was very unexpected and we are all in shock,”;; she said.
“It’s only been 24 hours, it’s a lot to get our head around.
“As a family we’re heartbroken, but we’re still trying to process the fact that dad has passed away, so we’re not sharing any information on his death out of respect for him.
“Dad didn’t want any media attention towards the end, he wanted his privacy, and as a family we need time to grieve.”;;
