Lily Peters death latest news: Juvenile suspect known to 10-year-old is arrested in murder investigation

A juvenile who is believed to have killed 10-year-old Liliana “Lily” Peters has been arrested on suspicion of her murder following a search of her aunt’s home, according to authorities.

Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm announced in a press conference on Tuesday evening that the suspect was taken into custody earlier that evening and that there is no longer any danger to the public.

The police chief said that the suspect is “not a stranger” but was “known” to the murdered 10-year-old.

The suspect’s name, gender and age was not revealed and Chief Kelm would not confirm if the individual is a relative of Lily’s.

The arrest came after police executed a search warrant at 422 North Grove Street in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and evidence was collected from the property, he said.

The address is the home of Lily’s aunt and is where the 10-year-old was believed to have last been seen alive on Sunday.

My colleague Rachel Sharp has the details.

The remains of Iliana “Lily” Peters, who was reported missing on Sunday, were found the following day not far from her aunt’s house in the city of Chippewa Falls.

Lily reportedly visited her aunt’s house on Sunday and left on her bicycle but did not return home from what normally would’ve been a six-minute walk. Her father became worried and called the police at 9pm.

Police searched for Lily late into Sunday night, and eventually located her bike near a wooded area about four blocks from her aunt’s house ,“near the walking trail between the end of N Grove Street and the Leinenkugel’s brewery parking lot,” they said.

Police continued searching for Lily, and went door-to-door to ask neighbours if they had seen her. The Chippewa Falls Police Department eventually called in K9 units and drones to assist in their efforts.

At about 9.15am on Monday morning, police discovered Lily’s remains in a wooded area near the Chippewa Creek walking path and the brewery. The corner’s office later confirmed the remains were of Lily.

The Chippewa Valley community has come together in a show of support for the Lily Peters and her family.

To honor her life, they began filling a memorial in front of her school, Parkview Elementary and filled it with purple flowers, stuffed animals and signs calling for justice for Lilly.

The locals have built another memorial near Duncan Creek on Jefferson Avenue, where the body of the 10-year-old was found Monday morning.

“I grew up in this town. I’ve lived here pretty much since I was in kindergarten and I always felt so safe,” Chelsea Torgerson of Chippewa Falls told WQOW.com. “I know these things happen everywhere all over the world every day, but this is way too close to home.”

A GoFundMe page was created for the slain 10-year-old Lily Peters to raise money for her funeral and memorial.

Started by Erin Mc Carthy, a “close family friend of Lily”, the page said “the loss of Lily is devastating” and “although lily is no longer with us her spirit and smiles always will be”.

“This is a very tragic loss and a complete nightmare. All donations will be going to the family of Lily for funeral cost, and memorial also extra expenses that may occur (sic).”

A nearby school district has offered its support to the school district where murdered 10-year-old Lily Peters was a fourth grade student.

In a letter sent to parents on Tuesday, Mike Johnson, the superintendent of the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) said he had reached out to the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District (CFAUSD) to offer support “through staffing and other resources”.

Mr Johnson also said that support such as counselling is available for ECASD students and staff who may be affected by Lily’s death “due to our proximity to Chippewa Falls” and urged the community to come together during this time.

“As always, please reach out to me or our staff with concerns and questions. Our students, families, staff, and community need to support each other during this difficult time,” the memo said.

Lily was in the fourth grade at Parkview Elementary School, which is part of CFAUSD.

On Tuesday afternoon, local residents tied purple ribbons around town in honour of murdered 10-year-old Lily Peters.

Several Chippewa Falls community members were seen attaching the ribbons to lampposts all around the downtown area, reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Ingrid Sievers, who owns local parlour Olson’s Ice Cream, tied one to the front of the store as she said the community was “all mourning” the death of the young girl.

“It’s a small town that’s pretty tightknit and I think it was just a shock,” she said.

“We’re just here to show solidarity and love to one another and the family and friends who lost her.”

Police are urging members of the public to continue to stay away from the crime scene as the investigation continues.

Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm said at Tuesday evening’s press conference that law enforcement are continuing to hold the scene which he said was the wooded area around the footpath between the north end of Grove Street and the brewery parking lot.

“This is important to the integrity of the investigation and we would ask you to continue to avoid this area,” said Chief Kelm.

The crime scene had been processed on Monday night and Lily’s body was taken away for an autopsy, he said.

A juvenile known to slain 10-year-old Liliana “Lily” Peters has been arrested on suspicion of her murder, according to authorities.

Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm announced in a press conference on Tuesday evening that the suspect was taken into custody earlier that evening and that there is no longer any danger to the public.

The police chief said that the suspect is “not a stranger” but was “known” to the murdered 10-year-old.

The suspect’s name, gender and age was not revealed and Chief Kelm would not confirm if the individual is a relative of Lily’s.

The arrest came after police executed a search warrant at 422 North Grove Street in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and evidence was collected from the property, he said.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

A heavy law enforcement presence was seen at a home in North Grove Street on Tuesday evening, where an execution of a search warrant led police to the suspected killer.

Photos posted online by KARE11 reporter Lou Raguse reveal police tape around the home on North Grove Street and the road blocked off as law enforcement carried items out of the property.

Police Chief Matthew Kelm said at a press conference that a search warrant was executed at 422 North Grove Street and, after finding evidence, a suspect was taken into custody.

Records show that Lily’s relatives live at the address and, when the 10-year-old was first reported missing, police said she vanished after leaving her aunt’s house on North Grove Street to head to her own home on East Birch Street.

Members of the public sent in over 200 tips to the police during the hunt for Lily Peters’ killer, said Police Chief Kelm.

The police chief thanked members of the public who had provided “critical” information in the investigation.

“While nothing will bring Lily Peters back or change what happened, we are very grateful to be able to deliver this news for the family and for the community,” he said of the arrest.

He also spoke of the way the community had come together in the tragedy, pointing to the purple ribbons being tied around lampposts across town in honour of the 10-year-old.