The father of murdered child April Jones has died without his daughter’s remains being found. Paul Jones previously suffered from encephalitis – a serious condition that causes swelling the brain.

Aged in his mid-50s, Paul Jones died from the illness which he developed in 2018, six years after five-year-old April was abducted near the family home in Machynlleth. The disappearance of April in 2012 launched one of the biggest search operations in UK history, with an appeal by then-Prime Minister David Cameron and extensive efforts from police, rescue teams, and countless volunteers.

However, April’s body was never located, and local man Mark Bridger, then 46, was arrested and later imprisoned for her kidnap and murder.

He has refused to tell police and her family what happened to April’s body. Read more about what happened here.

April Jones was just five when she went missing(Image: PA)

Paul’s step-daughter Jazz Jones shared their family’s grief on social media on Tuesday. According to the Mirror it reads: “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.”

Another tribute from friend Allan Hughes on Facebook said: “Just heard of the sad passing of a truly amazing friend Paul Jones in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a lot of you knew him as the father of poor April Jones. Who was taken from us in 2012.

“But myself and many more know him from being a great dad, son, brother and friend, also as part of the family.

“We grew up together in Penarcau and had many adventures… Now you’ll will be reunited with April and your mam Rest now peacefully Paul Jones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.”

Following Paul’s brain diagnosis in 2018 April’s mum, Coral, described having to ­remind him of what ­happened to their little girl.

She explained how the condition caused him memory loss meaning he could not understand why the youngster had not visited him in hospital.

Paul, then 49, broke down when Coral told him their precious five-year-old daughter had been killed, she said.

Bridger was jailed for life for April’s murder in 2013 when traces of her blood were found all over his home as well as bone fragments in his fireplace.But he has never revealed what he did with April’s body, with police fearing she was dismembered and dumped around the Welsh countryside near his cottage home.

The body of April Jones was never found(Image: PA)

Investigators also found a cache of child porn on his computer – as well as pictures of April and other local children.He was handed a whole life tariff at Mold Crown Court after being found guilty of kidnap and murder at Mold Crown Court.Mr Justice Griffith Williams told him: “There is no doubt in my mind that you are a paedophile, who has for some time harboured sexual and morbid fantasies about young girls.”He said father-of-six Bridger abducted April for a “sexual purpose” and disposed of her body “to hide the evidence of your sexual abuse of her.”