The Donald community remains heartbroken and grief-stricken after the alleged murder of 13-year-old Layla Jeffery last week.
The community gathered for a vigil on Sunday to honour Layla, while a memorial site has been set up at the Bullock’s Head viewing platform, overlooking the Richardson River, allowing people to place floral tributes, share words of support, or spend a moment reflecting.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with one count of murder in relation to Layla’s death.
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Police allege the boy murdered Layla on July 4, the night she went missing.
Detectives from the Victoria Police Missing Persons Squad arrested the 16-year-old on Friday following the discovery of Layla’s remains in bushland west of Byrne Street, Donald, on Thursday afternoon.
Layla was last seen in the early hours of Saturday, July 4, and was reported as missing to police the following day.
By Wednesday, an extensive search involved local police, along with specialist officers from the dog squad, air wing, the search and rescue squad, and SES volunteers deployed from Horsham and Wycheproof.
Buloke Shire Cr Charmaine Delaney said it was an ‘absolutely devastating and tragic outcome’.
Cr Delaney said Layla had lived in Donald for 12 months, and was home-schooled.
“I actually know Layla and her family personally, and we are just so lost for words,” she said.
“Layla was a gentle, quiet little girl who just loved life.
“Like any young person, she loved music, loved colouring her hair.
“And to imagine that somebody would take her life away in a small regional town like ours is really hard to cope for the community, and we’ve certainly seen that ripple effect come forward.
“I think this also brings to light the very fact that we are a tight-knit community.
“Lean on each other, check on your neighbours, make sure they’re okay, and just know that you’re not alone.”
The boy faced a children’s court on Saturday, where he was further remanded in custody.
The case will return to court in September, with the boy’s committal hearing scheduled for November.
At a media conference at Donald Police Station on Friday, Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan, of the missing persons squad, said police had executed a warrant at a Donald home that morning.
He said two women, a 53-year-old from Donald and a 55-year-old from Melbourne, had also assisted police with enquiries.
Det Insp Dunstan said Layla’s family was naturally devastated.
“Obviously any parent who loses a child in these circumstances, it’s heart-wrenching as to how you would actually deal with this,” he 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.”
Det Insp Dunstan said the investigation was ongoing, asking the community to assist with any information.
“I’d also like to reach out to the parents of the local youth in the area who may not see this coverage on the mainstream media,” he said.
“Have a chat to your kids – any contact they may have had with Layla or a friendship group on social media, we can take any sort of information. They can upload that to Crime Stoppers anonymously or do an online report at our website.
“You can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. We just implore anyone with any information to come forward and give us assistance.”
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre Wimmera chief executive Kerriann Campbell-Jones said their hearts were with Layla’s family and the Donald community.
“A 13-year-old girl should be safe,” she said.
“Every time a child’s life is taken, we are reminded that the safety of women and children in this country is not yet a promise we can keep.
“Across Australia, women and children continue to die violently, and every one of those deaths is preventable.
“The commitment for all of us, and especially for those of us with the power to act, is to keep working for the change that is needed to prevent family violence; it is not just someone else’s problem to respond to.”
Support
The Donald community is wrapping its arms around Layla’s family, friends and everyone affected by her death.
Donald 2000, a community organisation supporting local tourism, industry and businesses, was among many in the town of nearly 1500 to post about the tragedy on social media.
President Jodie Hollis said the community was ‘devastated and deeply saddened by what has happened in our little town’.
“We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, caring community – and today we stand together in grief,” she said. “Our most heartfelt thoughts are with Layla’s family, her friends and everyone in the broader community feeling the loss. “
“We also acknowledge the emergency services who faced such confronting circumstances with courage and compassion.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser, organised by Peta Edmonds to support Layla’s family, has so far raised more than $43,000.
“Like so many others, our Donald community is heartbroken by the tragic news surrounding Layla,” Peta wrote.
“With the permission of Layla’s family, this GoFundMe has been created to provide general support for Layla’s family as they navigate the unimaginable days, weeks and months ahead.
“Donations may help with ongoing practical needs, a headstone or memorial, and other expenses the family may face during this incredibly difficult time, having to say goodbye to a young girl taken far too soon.”
Donald Royal Blues Football, Netball and Hockey Club members and supporters wore pink on Saturday to honour Layla.
In an online statement, the club said ‘as a close-knit community club, our hearts are with Layla’s family, her friends, and everyone whose lives have been touched by this unimaginable loss’.
“There are no words that can ease the heartbreak being felt throughout our community, but we stand together in support, compassion and remembrance,” it read.
Buloke Shire Council helped set-up the memorial site, saying it would be available throughout ‘this period of grieving and remembrance’.
Buloke Mayor Graeme Milne said Layla’s death would have a huge impact on the community, particularly because of her age and the effect it would have on teenagers.
“We don’t see this sort of thing in little country towns in Victoria very often so when you see helicopters, horses and SES, as well as police doing ground searches, it does become a bit of a worry and you fear for the worst,” he said.
Council is working with partner agencies to assist the wellbeing of the community, while Donald High School also made support services available to students this week.
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