Chippewa Falls Police announced the arrest of a juvenile suspect Tuesday evening in the death of missing 10-year-old girl Iliana Peters who was found murdered after leaving her aunt’s house.
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm said the suspect was not a stranger and that community tips led to the arrest.
“First and most importantly, earlier this evening we arrested a juvenile suspect in this case,” he said during a news briefing at 6:30 p.m. local time. “The suspect was not a stranger. The suspect was known to the victim. We do not believe there is any danger to the community at this time,” Kelm said.
Kelm said officers executed a search warrant in the 400 block of North Grove Street. That is where Iliana had gone to visit her aunt Sunday.
According to the Chippewa Falls Police Department, Iliana “Lily” Peters was last seen by family members Sunday evening. Iliana’s father called police at 9 p.m. after she had not returned from visiting with her aunt in the 400 block of North Grove St.
Police have blocked off the block on Grove Street where Lilly Peters was last seen. pic.twitter.com/uFHsTA7NOk
— Lou Raguse (@LouRaguse) April 26, 2022
Kelm refused to comment further on any connection between the suspect and Iliana during the news conference.