General News
13 July, 2026
Teen charged with murder
A RURAL community is in mourning following the devastating discovery of a missing teenager’s body about one kilometre from her home in Donald.
Layla Jeffery, 13, was reported missing after she was last seen on McCracken Street in the town on Saturday, July 4, after leaving her home in the early hours of the morning.
She was reported missing the following day, and a major search operation began involving police and specialist crews.
On Thursday, July 9, human remains believed to be the missing girl were found in bushland near Byrne Street, along the Richardson River.
On Friday, detectives from the Missing Persons Squad executed a search warrant at a residential address and arrested a 16-year-old boy, who was later charged with one count of murder.
The boy was questioned, appeared before Children’s Court, and was then remanded in custody on Saturday evening.
The family has been in shock since, and the community has rallied behind them in grief, with a fundraiser set up to help them and local sporting clubs wearing pink at the weekend matches to honour the shy girl.
Layla's aunty, Kaitlyn Cheyne, described the family as "grief-stricken".
"She was absolutely gorgeous," Ms Cheyne said through tears.
"She was just the sweetest girl.
"As hard as it is and as horrible as it is, we were somewhat prepared for this outcome."
Ms Cheyne said her niece had switched the light on before she left, indicating she was planning to return.
"She was home until 4am, after that we don't have any confirmation of where she went or what has happened," Ms Cheyne said.
"She had turned the light on before she left, because she was planning to come back.
"That's why we haven't turned the lights off since, because we were hoping she would just walk in the door."
While the family was out searching for Layla, Ms Cheyne said they were "very, very glad" they were not the ones to find her.
Ms Cheyne said the family has been overwhelmed by the community's support.
"It has made everything so much easier, not that it is easy, or will ever be," Ms Cheyne said.
The GoFundMe created with the permission of the family quickly raised over $40,000 in three days, with local organiser Peta Edmonds motivated to “help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses and provide practical support during an unimaginably difficult time”.
“No family should have to face the loss of a child while also worrying about the costs that come with saying goodbye and life for them moving forward,” she wrote.
“Let's continue to stand beside Layla's family and remind them they are not facing this alone.”
She said she had been amazed by the level of support that had not just come from locals, but from “right across Australia”.
“The kindness, generosity and compassion shown has been truly overwhelming,” she wrote.
“Together, we are ensuring that Layla's memory is honoured with love, kindness and unwavering community support.”
She added that if people were unable to donate, they could help by sharing the link to others – bit.ly/3QTOObU.