A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the discovery of the body of 13-year-old Layla Jeffery in Donald, Victoria. The remains, believed to be those of the missing girl, were found by police on Thursday afternoon after an extensive search in the Donald area, located approximately 280 kilometers northwest of Melbourne.
Layla Jeffery was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald on Saturday, July 4, and was reported missing the following day. The 16-year-old boy was arrested by Victoria Police on Friday, and the charge was confirmed on Saturday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear in a children's court.
The family of Layla Jeffery has expressed their grief. Her aunt, Kaitlyn Cheyne, shared that Layla's mother is experiencing immense sorrow. Cheyne recounted that Layla and her mother had shared a happy and laughing evening shortly before the disappearance, which she described as a sweet final memory.
Cheyne also stated that while the family had hoped for Layla's safe return, they had braced for a negative outcome. She expressed relief that searchers, rather than the family, had not been the ones to discover Layla's remains. According to Cheyne, Layla had left her home early on July 4, leaving a light on with the intention of returning, and the light had remained on since in the hope of her reappearance.
Cheyne described Layla as a sweet and sensible young girl who was not prone to impulsive actions. She recalled Layla's thoughtfulness, such as buying matching items for herself and her best friend. Her aunt also noted Layla's attention to her appearance and her awareness of her self-worth.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to provide support for Layla's family.