Layla Jeffery, 13, was ‘somewhat shy’ and ‘well-liked’. A Victorian town is struggling with her alleged murder

Layla Jeffery, 13, was reported missing earlier this month after failing to return home. Photograph: Supplied View image in fullscreen Layla Jeffery, 13, was reported missing earlier this month after failing to return home. Photograph: Supplied Layla Jeffery, 13, was ‘somewhat shy’ and ‘well-liked’. A Victorian town is struggling with her alleged murder Donald – a small community about 280km from Melbourne – is grieving after a missing teenager was found dead Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast In the week after Layla Jeffery failed to return home in the early hours of 4 July, residents in the tiny Victorian town of Donald worriedly shared posts about the missing 13-year-old girl. One woman, who was receiving chemotherapy treatment in the town last week, wrote on Facebook that she felt “sick” at the thought of something happening to Layla. Others shared a post from police, asking for any information about her whereabouts. On Thursday afternoon, the small community’s worst fears were confirmed when human remains were found in nearby bushland. Since then, Donald has been a community in grief. View image in fullscreen Floral tributes for Layla Jeffrey in Donald. Over the weekend, local sports teams wore touches of pink to honour the school girl. Photograph: Supplied Police have charged a 16-year-old boy with Layla’s alleged murder, who appeared before a children’s court over the weekend. Layla’s aunt, Kaitlyn Cheyne, has remembered her niece as the “sweetest girl”. “As hard as it is and as horrible it is, [we] were somewhat prepared for this outcome,” she told reporters over the weekend. Through tears, Cheyne said Layla had turned the light on before she left her family home on McCracken Street, because she had been “planning to come back”. She was reported missing the following day. The town of Donald, about 280km north-west of Melbourne, has a population of less than 1,500, according to the latest census. It’s a place where the local football and netball club are at the heart of the community. The mayor of Buloke Shire council, Graeme Milne, said “everybody knows everybody” in Donald. As school resumed for term three on Monday, Milne said psychological support was being provided for local children. “There will be a lot of hurt around. At that age, kids … have only got to know you for five minutes and you’re a mate,” Milne said. “I would expect the kids are finding it tough going.” View image in fullscreen The Sunraysia Highway in Donald. Photograph: Dpa Picture Alliance Archive/Alamy Milne said community members had described Layla as “somewhat shy” and “well-liked”. “She did have a great group of friends,” he said. “They’re sticking with the family and sticking together to work their way through it.” Milne said the Donald community was now banding together to support her family and friends. “We expect that of small communities but we’re lucky that ours do it very well,” he said. Over the weekend, local sports teams wore touches of pink to honour the school girl. “As a community let’s stand together and support one another during this incredibly difficult time! May we find strength in each other as we navigate the days ahead,” read a statement posted on Facebook by the Royal Blues News Football, Netball and Hockey Club on Friday evening. A crowdfunding campaign for Layla’s family to cover general expenses and funeral costs had raised more than $41,000 by Monday afternoon. “The kindness, compassion and support shown by our community has been extraordinary. Thank you for standing beside Layla’s family, honouring Layla’s memory, and respecting their privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” a message on the page read. View image in fullscreen According to pastor Lisa Woods, people in a local mother’s chat had expressed wanting to support Layla’s family. Photograph: Supplied Donald pastor Lisa Woods attended a church vigil on Sunday afternoon to remember Layla. “It’s nice for people to reach out to connect with other people … despite your religion or your ethnicity or socioeconomic status, any of that kind of stuff, but still to connect with people,” she said. A floral tribute has also been established at the Bullock’s Head viewing platform, overlooking the Richardson River. Woods said that in a local mother’s chat, people had expressed wanting to support Layla’s family. “Everyone is just saying ‘what can I do?’ and ‘how can I help?’” John McConville, a former chair of community organisation Donald 2000, set up to ensure the town’s viability, said there was anger in the community. He said the alleged murder had “rocked us a little bit”. “As a community we have to regroup,” he said. “It’s a horrible feeling to be looking over your shoulder,” he said. “We need to let it settle and give the family a bit of room and then we can assess what needs to happen to help them out. That’s our only avenue at this point.” Explore more on these topics Victoria news Share Reuse this content