Bridger, 46, was arrested on Tuesday suspected of abducting the five-year-old in Wales the day before.
Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan told a press conference in Aberystwyth tjhis morning:
‘Mark Bridger has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of April Jones.
‘He remains in custody at Aberystwyth Police Station where he continues to be questioned.
‘The arrest does not detract from our efforts to find April and we remain committed to finding her.
‘Her family has been informed of this development and as you would expect they continue to be supported by a family liaison officer.’
Det Supt Bevan said the arrest doesn’t mean the search around the River Dyfi near Machynlleth will be backed off.
He repeated his call for information from anyone who can assist with the investigation:
‘I once again appeal to the public for information which may help us find April.‘
Officers can apply for another 24 hours to question Bridger by 5pm today, otherwise they have to release him.
The Dialy Mail reports that two women have come forward saying they ‘saw a man carrying a bin bag to a river the day after five-year-old April Jones was abducted.’
‘One of the women said she saw the man carrying the black bin bag as she was chatting with her friend in the road on Tuesday,’ the paper said.
Yesterday, April’s 16-year-old sister Jasmine made an impassioned plea for her family’s ‘beautiful princess’ to be returned.
‘I just want our beautiful princess home now. It’s been too long,’ she said.
‘Knowing someone knows something but won’t say it makes me feel even worse.’
Images via Getty/AFP
