Horrific Details Emerge as Suspect Appears in Court for the Death of a Chippewa Falls Girl

Thursday, April 28th, 2022 -- 2:01 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Horrific details emerge, as the suspect in the murder of 10-year-old Iliana “Lily” Peters of Chippewa Falls makes his initial court appearance.

District Attorney Wade Newell said the suspect, “Punched the victim in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, essentially strangled her with a stick, essentially strangling her to the point of death before he sexually assaulted her.”

A Chippewa County Judge set a one-million dollar cash bond for the 14-year-old suspect. District Attorney Wade Newell argued for the high amount stating, “Given the statements that the defendant made to law enforcement, that his intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get go.”     

The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for May 5. He’s charged in adult court with first-degree intentional homicide and sexual assault of a child. Newell said Lily and the suspect are related but did not provide details.

He said they left Lily’s aunt’s house together on Sunday. Her father reported her missing that night and Lily’s body was found Monday.

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