DONALD, VIC. — Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have arrested a 16-year-old male after human remains were located in Donald yesterday as part of a search for a missing teenage girl.
A warrant was executed at a residential address earlier today, and a 16-year-old from the Swan Hill area was taken into custody.
He is currently being interviewed by detectives.
Two women, a 53-year-old from Donald and a 55-year-old from Melbourne, are also assisting police with their enquiries.
The remains are yet to be formally identified, but they are believed to be those of the missing 13-year-old girl, Layla Jeffery.
A large-scale search was conducted in bushland west of Byrne Street after she was reported missing by a family member on Sunday, July 5.
The 13-year-old was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald last Saturday, July 4; however had not been seen or heard from since.
Local police, along with specialist officers from the Dog Squad, Air Wing and Search and Rescue Squad, were involved in the search, which resulted in the remains being located late Thursday afternoon.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the girl remains ongoing.
Police are currently treating it as suspicious.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
