A 10-year-old girl's cousin has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to her murder. Carson Peters-Berger, now 18, entered his guilty plea in Chippewa County court on Wednesday for the first-degree intentional homicide of his cousin, Lily Peters. He will be eligible for extended supervision in 25 years.
Peters-Berger was credited with four years served for the time he has spent in custody since his arrest at age 14, days after Lily's death in April 2022. Lily was visiting her aunt in Chippewa Falls when she was reported missing by her father after failing to return home. Her bicycle was later found discarded along a wooded path.
A search party discovered Lily's body in the woods the following morning. Authorities reported that the body showed signs of a violent attack. Peters-Berger was arrested two days after his cousin was reported missing. Investigators were told by Peters-Berger that he had intended to rape and murder her from the outset.
According to a criminal complaint, Peters-Berger first struck Lily in the stomach, then beat her with a large stick, and strangled her before sexually assaulting her. He then reportedly returned home, showered, and laundered his clothes. He told detectives he went back to the body to attempt to conceal it better after learning his cousin had been reported missing.
Prosecutors had sought to try Peters-Berger as an adult. His plea deal included the dismissal of charges for first-degree sexual assault of a child and first-degree sexual assault. He was also ordered to pay more than $30,000 in restitution.