Missing 10-year-old girl Lily Peters found dead of ‘homicide’ in Wisconsin, police say

Police have launched a homicide investigation after the body of Iliana ‘Lily’ Peters was found in a wooded area

A missing 10-year-old girl in Wisconsin has been found dead, police say.

The body of Iliana “Lily” Peters was found in a wooded area near Duncan Creek Trail, Chippewa Falls, local police told reporters on Monday. The case is now being treated as a homicide investigation.

“At about 9.15 this morning, a body was located in the wooded area near the walking trail,” Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm said at a press conference on Monday. “The Chippewa County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed that this is the body of Lily Peters.”

Mr Kelm then said a homicide investigation is underway, but no suspects are in custody at this point.

“We will be working diligently and tirelessly on this case,” he said. “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lily Peters during this tragic time.”

Mr Kelm said he could provide no other details at this point, but said a second press conference would be held that evening at 5pm.

Iliana had not been seen since Sunday evening. Around 9pm that night, the girl’s father reported her missing after she didn’t come home from a visit to her aunt’s house. Her bicycle was later found near the trail where her remains were eventually discovered.

On Monday, the fourth grader’s school district issued a statement alerting parents to the horrific news.

“By now, you have most likely heard about the tragic incident that occurred last night into today, claiming the life of a CFAUSD student,” the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District said. “We do not plan to formally announce what happened, as we are not privy to those details – we believe that law enforcement needs to be the ones to decide what or how much to share in that regard. We also believe that parents should be the ones to share and engage in discussion with their children about this tragic event to the greatest extent possible.”

Police urge anyone with information on the case to call the Chippewa County Dispatch Center at 715-726-7701.