16-Year-Old Arrested After Remains of Missing 13-Year-Old Layla Jeffery Found in Victoria

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after human remains believed to belong to missing 13-year-old Layla Jeffery were discovered in bushland near Donald, Victoria on Thursday, July 10. Layla was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald, about 280 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, on July 4 and was reported missing the next day. Police launched an extensive search involving local officers, the dog squad, air wing and search and rescue teams. Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said police were “quietly confident” those responsible were now in custody.

How the search unfolded

Layla left her home in the early hours of July 4, leaving a light on because she planned to return, her aunt Kaitlyn Cheyne said. When she did not come home, her family reported her missing on July 5. Police began searching bushland west of Byrne Street near the Richardson River in Donald. Late on Thursday afternoon, July 10, human remains were found during the operation. While not yet formally identified, police believe they belong to Layla.

The arrest and investigation

A 16-year-old from the Swan Hill area, about 90 minutes drive from Donald, was arrested on Friday after a search warrant was executed at a property in Donald around 11am. The boy was known to both police and Layla. He is being interviewed by detectives. Two women, a 53-year-old from Donald and a 55-year-old from Melbourne, are assisting police with enquiries but have not been arrested. Police said they do not believe anyone else was involved.

Death treated as suspicious

Victoria Police are treating Layla’s death as suspicious. Investigators are waiting for pathology examination results to determine her cause of death and how long her body had been in the parkland. Police ruled out any involvement by Layla’s family. Detective Inspector Dunstan said the family was devastated but police had been in contact with them throughout the investigation.

Community mourns the loss

The small town of Donald, with about 1,500 residents, has come together to remember Layla. The local community was asked to wear pink to football, netball and hockey games on Saturday in her honour. Layla’s friends organised pink balloons and wore pink ribbons. Her aunt described her as a “very sweet and fairly shy girl” who loved fashion and would buy matching items for her best friend whenever she purchased something she liked.

Final Thoughts

The discovery of Layla Jeffery’s remains has devastated the small Victorian community of Donald. With a 16-year-old arrested and police confident those responsible are in custody, the investigation continues as pathology results are awaited to determine the cause of death.

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