Updated ,first published
Human remains believed to be those of missing 13-year-old girl Layla have been found after an extensive police search in regional Victoria.
Police made the tragic discovery late on Thursday afternoon after a large-scale search around Donald – about 280 kilometres north-west of Melbourne – for the teenager who was reported missing on Sunday.
An earlier police statement about the search revealed they were looking for Layla after she was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald last Saturday.
On Friday, police said detectives from the missing persons squad were investigating after a person was found dead.
“While the remains are yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be that of the missing girl,” a statement said.
Police also confirmed a warrant was executed at a home in Donald at 11am on Friday.
“The investigation into the circumstances around the death of the girl remain ongoing, however police are currently treating it as suspicious,” they said.
John McConville, chairman of Donald’s progress association Donald 2000, said the huge police presence had been unnerving for the locals in the tight-knit town of 1500.
“People are just stunned it’s happened. There has been a police helicopter hovering over the crime scene around the river flats,” McConville said, referring to an area of the Richardson River which runs through the centre of town.
“It’s a huge concern… we feel for the mother, we’re all feeling the pain. What can we do, or what could we have done? This sort of kicks you in the belly a bit.”
Anyone with information in relation to the matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Lachlan Abbott is a crime reporter at The Age. He was previously a city reporter and covered breaking news.Connect via email.From our partners
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