Wisconsin Girl, 10, Found Dead in the Woods; Police Launch Homicide Investigation as Victim Went Missing While Visiting Aunt's House

After a missing 10-year-old girl was discovered dead on Monday morning, nearly 12 hours after her father reported her missing to authorities, Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm is warning the public to remain watchful.

Around 9:00 pm, Lily Peters' father phoned the cops on Sunday evening, claiming that his daughter had not come home after a visit to her aunt's residence just a few streets away.

Missing Wisconsin Girl Lily Peters Found Dead

Officers searched the area and discovered her bike in the woods along a walking track where she had gone missing the night before. The Chippewa County Coroner's Office verified that the corpse recovered this morning belonged to Peters, Fox News reported.

With no suspects in custody, Kelm advised the public to be cautious. The corpse of the little girl, as well as her bicycle, was discovered near Leinenkugel's Brewery. Police were following up on several leads, according to Kelm, with "several" agencies cooperating with the probe.

According to investigators, the kid was last seen by relatives while visiting an aunt's house in Chippewa Falls. Her aunt's residence is only four blocks away for the girl.

Further timeline data, such as whether Peters vanished while going home from her aunt's house, have yet to be revealed. According to Kelm, there are no confirmed suspects at this time, but authorities are following up on leads, as per WQOW.

Police Investigating as Homicide

Chippewa Falls police enlisted the assistance of other organizations, including K9 teams and drone operators, in their hunt. Everyone engaged in the search for Lily and the circumstances surrounding her death, according to the chief, had a tough time finding Lily.

During the news conference, Kelm cried up as he reported Peters' death. "As you can imagine, anything that impacts one of our children has a big impact on our first responders," Kelm explained. Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Holmes issued a letter home to families advising that children who regularly walk to school "be picked up and dropped off by trustworthy family members or friends until further notice."

"We believe it is essential for you to know about what we may communicate at this time," Holmes informed families. "We have no plans to publicly publish what transpired since we don't have access to those facts, and we believe law enforcement should determine what and how much to communicate in that regard."

She was last seen in a purple long-sleeved blouse, black stretch leggings, and grey shoes. Lily attended Parkview Elementary School and was in fourth grade. According to Chief Kelm, the youngster's death is being investigated as a homicide. The CFPD encourages anyone with information to contact them.

With the help of the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations, the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, and local law enforcement agencies, investigators are aggressively following up on leads. Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to call 1-800-263-5906, a newly formed tip line, according to Daily Mail.