Teenage boy arrested after human remains found in search for missing girl

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after human remains were found in the search for a missing 13-year-old girl in rural Victoria.

Layla Jeffery was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald, about 280 km north-west of Melbourne on July 4. She was reported missing by her family the next day.

Police found human remains late on Thursday afternoon after an extensive search scouring local bushland.

They are yet to be formally identified, but police believe they belong to Layla.

Officers are treating the death as suspicious.

A 16-year-old boy, who was known to Layla and police, has been arrested.

He will be interviewed by detectives.

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A 53-year-old Donald woman and a 55-year-old woman from Melbourne, who are both known to the boy, are assisting police with their enquiries.

Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said police were “quietly confident” they have identified those responsible.

“We don’t think there’s anyone else that may be involved in the situation,” Dunstan said.

“It is a tragic outcome for the Donald community and we implore people to reach out for support if they are affected by this.”

A home in Donald was raided around 11am on Friday as part of the investigation into Layla’s disappearance.

Investigators are waiting for the results of a pathology examination to determine Layla’s cause of death and to determine how long her body had been lying in the parkland.

Police do not believe Layla’s family have any involvement in her death.

“We’ve been in contact with Layla’s family and our thoughts are with them at this heartbreaking time,” Dunstan said.

“They’re devastated.”

Detectives will continue to search the area for evidence for the remainder of the afternoon.

Anyone with information in relation to the matter is urged to contact authorities.