Carson Peters-Berger, the 18-year-old cousin of Lily Peters, has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree intentional homicide in the death of the 10-year-old. The plea agreement concluded a case that began in April 2022 when Lily failed to return home after visiting her aunt in Chippewa Falls.
Lily’s father discovered her bicycle abandoned along a wooded path, and a subsequent search located her body in the woods the following morning. Investigators found evidence of a violent attack. Peters-Berger was arrested days later and reportedly told investigators he had planned to rape and murder Lily from the outset. According to charging documents, his actions included punching her, beating her with a large stick, strangulation, and sexual assault.
After the details of the crime emerged, prosecutors pursued and succeeded in having Peters-Berger tried as an adult. He had been in custody since his arrest at age 14, and Wednesday's guilty plea earned him credit for four years served. He will be eligible for extended supervision after serving 25 years of his sentence.
As part of the plea deal, charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and first-degree sexual assault were dropped. Peters-Berger was also ordered to pay over $30,000 in restitution.