Lily Peters Update #2: Teen boy beat the 10-year-old, strangled her, sexually assaulted her
04/28/2022 Update: A 14-year-old boy whose identity has not yet been revealed and who knew Lily is now in jail on a $1 million cash bond for killing the 10-year-old girl who went missing on April 24. Reportedly, the boy abducted Lily, beat her, strangled her and then sexually assaulted her.
The teen punched the girl “in the stomach, knocked her to the ground … hit her with a stick before strangling her to the point of death before then sexually assaulting her.”
“… his intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get-go when he left the house with the victim going down the trail, the state believes there is a need to protect the community.” ~ NBC News
See the complete report from NBC News: “Teen suspect strangled and sexually assaulted 10-year-old slain Wisconsin girl, prosecutor says”
Also see the updated video report below: “The suspect was not a stranger,” according to police
(04/25/2022 Update) The Chief of the Chippewa Falls PD, Matthew Kelm, held a press conference earlier today to report the tragic news that 10-year-old “Lily” has been found dead. Her remains were found this morning in that wooded area not far from where her bike was discovered last night – and that the missing persons investigation is now a homicide investigation.
Kelm said that while they are following multiple leads, there may be a danger to the public and asked the public to remain vigilant. Kelm said ‘numerous’ agencies were assisting with the investigation and that more information might be provided later Monday. ~ WSAW
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chippewa County Dispatch Center at 715-726-7701 and select Option 1.
(A transcript from the Chief’s press conference is detailed below.)
(04/26/2022 Update)
UPDATE FROM CHIEF KELM FROM THE 12:15PM / April 25 / PRESS CONFERENCE:
Good afternoon and thank you for coming. My name is Matthew Kelm and I am the Chief of Police for the Chippewa Falls Police Department. This is an update on the Missing Persons case that was first reported last night.
At about 9:00 pm last night, the Chippewa Falls Police Department received information that Iliana (Lily) M. Peters, age 10, was missing from the City of Chippewa Falls. Lily’s father reported that she had not returned home from a visit to her aunt’s house in the 400 block of N. Grove Street. Officers later located a bicycle in the woods near the walking trail between the end of N. Grove Street and the Leinenkugel’s brewery parking lot.
Numerous agencies and resources were called to assist with the search for Lily. At about 9:15 am this morning, a body was located in the wooded area near the walking trail in that area. The Chippewa County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed this is the body of Lily Peters.
At this point we are considering this a homicide investigation. We do not have anyone in custody and are continuing to follow up on multiple leads. Chippewa Falls Police Department and the numerous assisting agencies will be working diligently on this case. We encourage anyone with information to please contact the Chippewa Falls Police Department and to maintain a state of vigilance as there may be a danger to the public.
To maintain the integrity of this very active and ongoing investigation, I am unable to provide further details at this time. I anticipate an additional press conference tonight at 5:00 pm.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lilly Peters during this tragic time. Thank you.
If you have ANY tips, please call 715-726-7701, select option 1.There will be another Press Conference at 5:00 PM at the Chippewa Falls Fire Station, Station 1, 1301 Chippewa Crossing Blvd, Chippewa Falls.
(original article from April 25) Earlier today, the Chippewa Falls Police Department reported that they and others in the community are searching for 10-year-old Iliana (Lily) M. Peters. Lily is a fourth grader attending Parkview Elementary School.
On the evening of April 24 at 9:00 p.m., the Chippewa Falls Police Department was contacted by Lily’s father who reported that Lily had not returned home from an earlier visit to her aunt’s house which is located in the 400 block of N. Grove Street. Officers learned that Lily was last seen by family members that evening. She was supposed to be heading home to the 50 block of E. Birch Street. Officers and family checked the area and contacted family and friends, but she was not located.
After it got dark, officers learned that a bicycle believed to belong to Lily was located in the woods a short distance from her aunt’s residence and near the walking trail between the end of N. Grove Street. and the Leinenkugel’s Hills Brewery parking lot.
K9 teams from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department and the Lake Hallie Police Department were called into search the area last night. Also, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department drone was used to search the wooded area.
Law Enforcement and fire/EMS search teams searched the area and conducted door-to-door canvassing overnight. CFPD investigators have and continue to follow up with friends and family of Lily. The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation was contacted and said that Lily’s circumstances do not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert. Neighborhood advocates are questioning why an Amber Alert was not initiated, but no explanations have been provided for that decision.
Lily was last known to be wearing a purple ¼-zip long-sleeve shirt with black stretch pants and gray shoes.
The Investigation into Lily’s disappearance is ongoing; and officials said they will not be providing any further information at this time. Anyone with any information about Lily’s current whereabouts is asked to contact the Chippewa County Dispatch Center at (715) 726-7701, option 1.
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
