Boy arrested for murder of Wisconsin resident Lily Peters, 10, who was found dead after disappearing returning home from aunt’s house: Cops say suspect knew his alleged victim
- Police have arrested a teenage man in connection with the murder of Lily Peters, 10
- Peters’ body was found Monday morning in a wooded area near a hiking trail in Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- A fourth-grader went missing Sunday night after staying at an aunt’s house
- The father reported his daughter missing around 9 p.m
- Her body was found along with her bike near a hiking trail in the small town
A boy has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 10-year-old Wisoncisin girl who has been missing since Sunday night and was found dead along a hiking trail.
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matt Kelm said the suspect was a youth known to victim Lily Peters, who died Monday morning in a wooded area near Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire, near an aunt’s home who she had been was found visiting when she disappeared.
“While nothing will bring Lily Peters back or change what happened, we are so grateful to be able to bring this news to the family and community,” Kelm said of the arrest.
Peters’ father reported her missing around 9 p.m. Sunday night when she failed to show up at home. Peters’ family lived not far from their aunt.
The boy was a fourth grader at Parkview Elementary in town.
The Chippewa Falls Police Department had received more than 200 tips about the case, which Kelm said proved “key” to the investigation.
Lily Peters’ body was found Monday morning in a forest near a hiking trail in Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
A fourth grader went missing Sunday night after visiting an aunt
Chippewa Falls Police called several agencies to help with the search, including K9 teams and drone operators
On Monday afternoon, Kelm confirmed that the girl’s disappearance is being investigated as a murder.
The little girl’s body and her bicycle were found near the Leinenkugel brewery. An autopsy is currently being performed in the coroner’s office.
Kelm said police are following up on a number of leads, with about 20 agencies helping with the investigation.
The police department will also increase officers’ presence near local schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
The young woman was last seen by relatives while visiting an aunt’s home in Chippewa Falls, officials said.
Her father notified police around 9 p.m. Sunday night that his daughter was missing. The girl lives just four blocks from her aunt’s house, according to WQOW.
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matt Kelm said people were shocked to find the girl’s body
Her body was found along with her bike near a hiking trail in the small town
Chippewa Falls Police called several agencies to help with the search, including K9 teams and drone operators. The chief said finding Lily and the circumstances behind her death were difficult for everyone involved.
Kelm himself choked during the press conference announcing Peters’ death.
“As you can imagine, anything involving one of our children is really upsetting to our first responders,” Kelm said, “so it’s very difficult for them and investigators.”
Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Holmes sent a letter home to families recommending that children normally walk to and from school and have trusted family members or friends pick up and drop off until further notice. … Our buildings are on high alert; However, law enforcement has not indicated that lockdown settings need to be considered at this time.
Holmes told the families: “We think it’s important that you know what we can share at this time. We do not intend to officially announce what happened as we are not privy to those details – we believe law enforcement must be the ones who must decide what or how much to share in this regard.
“We also believe that parents should be the ones who should speak and discuss this tragic event with their children to the maximum extent possible. However, we know that some of our students may be impacted and some of our students may be having conversations with each other and with staff. … Cardinal Care’s counseling services are available to any student. … Thank you for your kindness and compassion for the student and family at this tragic time.’