The Kitsap County Coroner's office Friday, ruled the death of 6-year-old Jenise Paulette Wright as homicide.
Jenise's body was found Thursday morning in a wooded area behind Steele Creek Mobile Home Park, Bremerton, Wash. She was reported missing over the weekend and was last seen Saturday when she went to bed.
The cause of her death is unknown. According to Lt. Earl Smith of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office, Jenise's body was found among thick brushes and muddy terrain. This means that the person responsible for her disappearance was also likely mud splattered.
Officials have told people to report any suspicious behavior like people abandoning soiled clothing.
According to the Associated Press, Kitsap County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Scott Wilson said officials were collecting DNA cheek swabs from at least a dozen residents of the Bremerton-area mobile home park. He explained that these samples might be helpful in removing suspects if investigators later come across DNA evidence.
As previously reported, the investigators are sifting through the records of registered sex offenders residing in the area and checking the surveillance videos. The officials had stated that 10 years ago Wright's father, James, was charged for molestation of two young girls. James had then pled guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. However, he was cleared of the molestation charges.
Smith said that Jenise's death had an impact on the community, neighbours and the police. "We didn't know Jenise, but over the past few days, she has become one of ours," Smith said, reports Kitsap Sun. "We have come to know she was a happy child, a bright light for those around her and a child of promise. No child deserves this fate. No family deserves this loss."
Wilson said that the investigations were "far from over" and they had "much work to do."
Meanwhile, a prayer vigil for Jenise held Friday, witnessed overs hundreds of people. The vigil took place in the parking lot of Crossroads Neighborhood Church. People were told to wear purple, Jenise's favourite color, to the vigil, reports King 5 News. They also played her favorite songs during the ceremony.
