A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after the body of missing 13-year-old Layla Jeffery was found in bushland in the small Victorian town of Donald. Victoria police confirmed on Friday evening that the teenager, from the Swan Hill area, was taken into custody following a warrant executed in Donald. Swan Hill is approximately 90 minutes away by car.
Police treat death as suspicious
Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan, from the Victoria police missing persons squad, stated that the death is being treated as suspicious. The boy is believed to have been known to both police and the victim. Authorities have ruled out any involvement by Layla's family.
“We are quietly confident those responsible are now in custody. We don’t believe anyone else was involved in this situation,” Dunstan told reporters. He added that the boy was being interviewed by police on Friday night.
Discovery after extensive search
Layla was reported missing on 5 July after last being seen on McCracken Street the previous day. A large-scale search was conducted in bushland west of Byrne Street in Donald, involving local police, the dog squad, air wing, and search and rescue squad. Late on Thursday afternoon, her remains were found.
“The remains are yet to be formally identified, but they are believed to be those of missing 13-year-old girl, Layla,” police said in a statement on Friday. A warrant was executed at a residential property in Donald after 11am on Friday as part of the investigation.
Community in mourning
Residents of Donald, a town of about 1,500 people, have been devastated by the news. “We have been in contact with Layla’s family and our thoughts are with them at this heartbreaking time,” Dunstan said. “It is a tragic outcome for the Donald community and we urge people to seek support if they are affected.”
Buloke shire councillor Charmaine Delaney, who knew Layla and her family personally, described her as “a giant, gentle, quiet little girl who just loved life”. She added, “To imagine that somebody would take her life away in a small regional town like ours is really hard to cope for the community.”
Two women, a 53-year-old from Donald and a 55-year-old from Melbourne, are also assisting police with inquiries but have not been arrested. The investigation into the circumstances of Layla's death remains ongoing.
