The shattered mother of missing April Jones has been whisked away in an unmarked police car – as friend say that she is in the ‘lowest reaches of hell’.
Exhausted Coral Jones, 40, emerged from her home wearing grey jogging bottoms, a grey hooded top and sunglasses as she was helped into the car by a uniformed officer.
She was sped off from the family home as officers continued to search the home of prime suspect Mark Bridger, 46.
A police officer on the estate confirmed it was Coral but refused to say where she was going.
When asked if it the situation was “getting too much”, he replied “yes, it is.”
One neighbour said: “She hasn’t left the house except for the press conference because she wants to be there in case there’s any news about April.
“It’s sheer agony for the family, they must be in the lowest reaches of hell right now.”
Meanwhile, desperate locals in Machynlleth covered the town in hundreds of pink ribbons – April’s favourite colour – as the community showed their continuing support for her family.
Locals are also wearing smaller pink ribbons as they try to do anything they can to help.
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Speaking as she was attaching pink bows to trees along the main road through Machynlleth, sweet shop owner Alison Jones said: “People are tired but still want to do everything they can to help in light of the police requesting that we don’t go off searching without bring part of an organised group.
“The placing of pink ribbons is something that we can do, it makes us feel like we are actively doing something.
“I’m doing as many as I can.
“She (April) is a very typical five-year-old, bright-eyed and full of excitement. Polite and well behaved.
“They are a close family. She enjoys coming in and picking her sweets like a normal child.”
Earlier in the day Det Supt Reg Bevan, of Dyfed-Powys Police, who is leading the inquiry, announced they had been granted a further 36 hours to quiz suspect Mark Bridger.
He also said the force were following up leads unconnected to their main suspect.
He said: “The suspect Mark Bridger remains in police custody. He appeared before magistrates this morning where we were granted a further warrant to detain which gives us 36 hours.
“The investigation continues and our focus remains finding April. The investigation team will me interviewing Mark Bridger again today and we will continue to piece together his movements during the relevant times.
“I can’t say the account he’s given in interviews. I don’t want to compromise any efforts to find April. He will be further interviews today and hopefully we will be able to use that interview to find April.
“We certainly do have information regarding his movements but we haven’t got the compete picture.
“Again I make an appeal to the public to help us find April. If anyone has had contact with him during the period from 6pm on Monday to 3.30pm on Tuesday, we urge you to come forward. Any contact whatsoever.
“We are still making appeals, they don’t all involve Mark Bridger.”
