{"id":948456,"date":"2026-07-20T23:31:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T23:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/948456\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T23:31:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T23:31:34","slug":"hundreds-attend-police-meeting-about-donald-teen-layla-jefferys-alleged-murder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/948456\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds attend police meeting about Donald teen Layla Jeffery’s alleged murder"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 300 people filled the Donald Memorial Hall in western Victoria last night for an emotional public meeting about the alleged murder of 13-year-old Layla Jeffery.<\/p>\n

Remains believed to be Layla’s were found in bushland near the Richardson River close to the Donald Police Station on July 9, and a 16-year-old boy has since been charged with murder.<\/p>\n

Residents submitted dozens of questions to police and council before the meeting, hoping for an update on the investigation.<\/p>\n

\"Panel<\/p>\n

Senior Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan addresses the Donald community at a meeting on Monday night. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)<\/p>\n

Authorities were able to answer some questions. But they repeatedly told the crowd there were others they simply could not.<\/p>\n

Mental health support agencies also addressed the crowd. They acknowledged there was a lot of “anger” in the community.<\/p>\n

They described that emotion as a normal stage of grief.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Layla Jeffery, 13, was last seen in Donald on July 4. (Suppied: Victoria Police)<\/p>\n

‘This will take time’<\/p>\n

Victoria Police Senior Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said police would continue visiting Donald for at least another two months as they follow up leads, review evidence and revisit key locations.<\/p>\n

They warned court proceedings could take years to finalise and told the community not to expect a quick resolution.<\/p>\n

“This will take time,” Senior Detective Inspector Dunstan said.<\/p>\n

“We don’t want to give anyone false hope that this will be resolved quickly.”<\/p>\n

Police said they could not give specific answers about the case because doing so could risk the integrity of the court proceedings and coroner’s inquiry.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Police search for evidence in the Richardson River in the days after Layla Jeffrey\u2019s body was found. (ABC News: Darryl Torpy)<\/p>\n

“If we start discussing evidence here, we risk jeopardising the case,” senior Detective Inspector Dunstan said.<\/p>\n

He said authorities were being particularly cautious because the alleged murderer was a child in custody who is set to face the Children’s Court.<\/p>\n

\"Five<\/p>\n

A line search being conducted in Donald. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)<\/p>\n

Mayor’s warning<\/p>\n

Buloke Mayor Cr Graeme Milne delivered a blunt warning to the community about what he described as “very insensitive” rumours and speculation circling on social media.<\/p>\n

“There’s been a number of text messages and emails, and other social media stuff where people are building a platform for themselves,” Cr Milne said.<\/p>\n

\"Middle<\/p>\n

Buloke mayor Graeme Milne addressed 300 community members at the Donald Memorial Hall. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)<\/p>\n

If you or anyone you know needs help:<\/p>\n