Inquest opens into Jenna death

Jenna was reported missing back in September

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of schoolgirl Jenna Baldwin whose body was found on a mountain road near her south Wales home 10 weeks after she went missing.

Jenna, 15, disappeared on 10 September from her home in the village of Abersychan, near Pontypool.

Charged: Jenna's stepfather Mike Baldwin

Jenna's stepfather, Mike Baldwin, was arrested in connection with her disappearance six weeks after she went missing.

Jenna's body was found off a mountain road four weeks later.

Mr Baldwin, 36, was later charged with her murder.

Newport Coroner David Bowen adjourned the inquest to an indefinite date to allow criminal proceedings to take place.

'Dental records'

At the inquest, coroner's officer Kenneth Le Provost said: "Extensive police searches and inquiries were commenced and on 18 November a body was recovered adjacent to the Abergavenny Road, Blaenavon.

"The body was subsequently identified as that of Jenna Baldwin by means of dental records.

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"Two post-mortem examinations have not revealed a definitive cause of death."

Jenna's body was released for her funeral, which will take place on Monday at Trinity Methodist Church in High Street, Abersychan, at 1pm, before a burial at Panteg cemetery.

Grave

The teenager's family has announced that the headstone on her grave will bear her birth father's surname.

Jenna's mother Desiree Baldwin, 39, said the headstone will be inscribed with the name Jenna Brookfield.

Her father Nigel Brookfield, 42, who lives in Abergavenny, will be among the chief mourners at the funeral.

Jenna's white coffin will be covered in red roses, and will be taken by hearse from Mrs Baldwin's home in Pontnewynydd to Trinity Methodist Church in Abersychan.

Desiree Baldwin wants the funeral to celebrate Jenna

Jenna's schoolfriends have been asked to wear bright colours and the teenager's favourite pop songs will be played as a special tribute later in the day.

Jenna's school, Abersychan Comprehensive School, will be closed to years 10 and 11 for the funeral.

Chief Inspector John Oliver of Gwent Police, who led the search for Jenna, said: "Our thoughts are with Desiree Baldwin and her family.

"Gwent Police are continuing to provide support and we sincerely hope that the family will be able to start rebuilding their shattered lives."