Town Left Frozen in Shock After Missing Teen Search Takes a Heartbreaking Turn
NO ONE THOUGHT IT WOULD END LIKE THIS: TOWN LEFT REELING AFTER H0RRIFYING DISCOVERY DURING SEARCH FOR MISSING TEEN
Detectives are investigating after human remains were discovered during a search for a missing teenage girl in Victoria’s west.
Thirteen-year-old Layla Jeffery was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald on July 4, and was reported missing the next day.
Police discovered the remains in bushland. (ABC News: Rebekah Lowe)
A large-scale search was conducted in nearby bushland off Byrne Street involving local police, along with the dog squad, AirWing and Search and Rescue Squads.
Police said human remains were discovered late on Thursday and had not been formally identified, but were believed to be that of the missing girl.
The death is being treated as suspicious and police said missing persons squad detectives were investigating.
Police said a large-scale search was conducted. (ABC News: Rebekah Lowe)
As part of the investigation, a warrant was executed about 11am today at a property in Donald.
Donald resident Shane O’Shea said Layla’s disappearance had upset the community.
Shane O’Shea says the disappearance shook the town. (ABC News: Rebekah Lowe)
“When you’re a population of Donald [sic] and everyone knows everyone, when something like this happens, even if you’ve been in Donald five minutes and it happens to you, it really does upset the community,” he said.
“There’s a certain amount of fear goes through the town, before they know what actually happened.
“You think it doesn’t happen in Donald, or can’t happen in a small community like Donald, but suddenly you’re thrust upon it.”
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
SOURCE: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-10/police-find-remains-in-search-for-missing-teen-donald-victoria/106901124
