Iliana Peters Missing Update: 10-Year-Old Wisconsin Girl's Body Found In Woods; Homicide Investigation Underway

A 10-year-old Wisconsin girl was found dead in the woods Monday morning after she was reported missing the previous night. The case is now being investigated as a homicide, police said.

Iliana "Lily" Peters was reported missing by her father when she did not return home after a visit to her aunt's house, Chippewa Falls Police Department said in a press release.

After an extensive search by numerous agencies, the investigators located the child's bicycle in the woods near the walking trail some blocks away from the aunt's house. A body, which was later identified as that of Peters, was recovered from the wooded area Monday morning, Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm said at a press conference, NBC News reported.

"We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lilly Peters during this tragic time," Kelm added.

The girl's death is being investigated as a case of homicide and investigators are actively following up on multiple leads. Police have not taken anyone into custody and have requested the public to be vigilant.

"We encourage anyone with information to please contact the Chippewa Falls Police Department and to maintain a state of vigilance as there may be a danger to the public," the department said in the news release. Anyone with any information about the incident can contact the officials at 715-726-7701, and select option 1.

Peters is a fourth-grader at Parkview Elementary school in Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District. "Our thoughts with the family during this difficult time," the school district said in a statement.

"The people of our community are honest, hardworking, and kind-hearted. It's almost impossible to believe that something this horrific could happen in our city. An event like this threatens our sense of security. However, I believe we will come together as a community to overcome this fear," Kelm added, reported Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.