German police have confirmed that a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl who has been missing for more than a week has died.
"This is sad news. The deceased girl is the missing nine-year-old Valeria. We express our deepest condolences to your family," says police chief Carsten Kempf on Wednesday, June 12.
According to him, the girl was the victim of a crime, the case is being investigated as a murder. The investigation is currently focused on the family's social circle. There are no suspects or arrests.
According to the police, the child's body was found on Tuesday, June 11, near forest paths in an impassable area. German law enforcement officials note that according to the investigation and autopsy, there is no evidence that the girl was the victim of a sexual crime.
Background
On June 3, a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl, Valeria, disappeared in the city of Dobeln in Saxony. In the morning, she went to school, but she did not attend classes and did not return home.
The search for the child lasted for eight days. The operation involved more than 300 law enforcement officers, dog handlers, divers, and a helicopter.
On June 11, while searching for the missing girl, the police found her body. It was found in the woods about four kilometers from the family's home.
