General News
11 July, 2026
Teen charged with one count of murder
POLICE have charged a 16-year-old teen with murder after days searching for a missing girl in Donald.
The boy, from Swan Hill, was expected to appear bvefore a children’s court this afternoon for a remand hearing.
The two women, a 53-year-old from Donald and 55-year-old from Melbourne, have been spoken to by police. Police tonight said they were never in custody and had not been arrested.
The teen was arrested by detectives on Friday following the execution of a warrant at a house in Donald as police and SES volunteers scoured along the Richardson River.
Minutes before a media conference on Friday afternoon outside Donald police station, that overlooks the area, police walked up from the river flats carrying bags. Mounted police and the dog squad were also involved in the search.
The charge follows an investigation into the disappearance of a missing 13-year-old girl who was last seen on July 4 and was reported missing to police by a family member on ]July 5.
Charlton and Donald sporting teams todayt wore pink in honour of Layla Jeffrey, a student at Donald's high school.
A GoFundMe has been created to support Layla’s family, which has already raised more than $20,000: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-laylas-family-rkrhe
Support is available to anyone affected by this tragedy. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact:
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
• Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
• Headspace – 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au
• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
If there is an immediate risk to life or safety, call Triple Zero (000).