Wisconsin 10yo Girl Who Went Missing Found Dead | Juvenile Suspect Who Was “Known to the Victim” Arrested

The body of a 10-year-old Wisconsin girl was found near a walking trail a day after she was reported missing. Lily Peters who was a fourth-grader at Parkview Elementary School had been reported missing by her father on Sunday night after she didn't return home from a visit to her aunt's house, reports PEOPLE. The young girl's bicycle was found later that evening in the woods near a walking trail close to the aunt's home. On Monday morning, authorities discovered the child's body in a wooded area in Chippewa Falls. The Chippewa County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains were Lily's.

A “juvenile suspect” was arrested Tuesday in connection to the murder of the 10-year-old. "Earlier this evening we arrested a juvenile suspect in this case," Chief Matthew Kelm said at a press conference on Tuesday. "The suspect was not a stranger. The suspect was known to the victim. We do not believe there is any danger to the community at this time. While nothing will bring Lily Peters back or change what happened, we are very grateful to be able to deliver this news for the family and for the community," continued Chief Kelm.

"The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Lab processed the crime scene last night. At that time the body of Lily Peters was removed by the coroner's office, and a forensic autopsy is being conducted," Kelm said in the press conference. CNN reports that according to Kelm, authorities received more than 200 tips. "These tips were critical to solving this case," he said. A search warrant was executed at a home where evidence was collected and additional interviews were conducted, Kelm said. "There is still much work to be done," he added. "Our thoughts continue to be with the family during this terrible time."

The young girl's bicycle was in a wooded area by a walking trail that is close to her aunt's house and near the Leinenkugel's Brewery Parking lot. Marty Maloney, spokesperson for Leinenkugel's, told CNN in a statement Lily's death was "an unspeakable, heartbreaking tragedy, and we want to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim. We are working with the authorities, and providing the help and support we can." Michael Houle, a senior pastor at Valley Vineyard Church in Chippewa Falls, where the young girl's relatives are members, has created a safe space to grieve at the church. "Our mission is to reach out to our community in a positive way and to be a light in Chippewa Falls during this difficult time," he said. "We live in very generous town. Our community is coming together to meet the needs of family, community members, schools, and first responders. This is just the start and will be an ongoing process over the next weeks." No other information has been provided about the underage suspect so far.

If you have ANY tips, please call 715-726-7701, and select option 1.

References:

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/25/us/lily-peters-wisconsin-homicide-investigation/index.html

https://people.com/crime/juvenile-arrested-in-connection-with-lily-peters-homicide-police-say-suspect-was-known-to-the-victim/

Cover Image Source: Facebook | Chippewa Falls Police Department