Police find body of missing 5-year-old Elizabeth Shelley
The body of missing 5-year-old Elizabeth Shelley was found near her home Wednesday afternoon, according to the Logan City Police Department’s Facebook page.
Cache County prosecutors charged the uncle of a missing 5-year-old girl from Logan with aggravated murder, child kidnapping, two counts of obstructing justice and “abuse or desecration of a dead human body,” on Wednesday, according to court records.
Police continued to search for Elizabeth “Lizzie” Shelley, who went missing from her Logan home early Saturday morning, after filing charges. Police have said Alex Whipple, her uncle, has not been cooperative during the investigation and is a suspect in the 5-year-old’s disappearance. On their Twitter account, the Logan City Police Department reported that they were “investigating a very credible tip” on the whereabouts of the body.
An arrest warrant was issued for Whipple in April after he allegedly stopped attending probation and substance abuse treatment meetings, and the deputies arrested him on those charges, then took him to the Logan Police Department for questioning. Jensen said he invoked his right to remain silent and did not cooperate with the investigation.
An arresting document states Whipple refused to identify himself to the arresting officer multiple times and attempted to flee the scene, but two deputies attached to each arm and handcuffed him. Deputies searched his clothing and found a metal baseball bat, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an unopened beer can in his pockets.
Logan City Police Department held a press conference this morning where they discussed the evidence that has been found tying Whipple to the case. Police Chief Gary Jensen presented the charges filed against Whipple.
Court documents state various items have been located near Shelley’s home containing DNA evidence from Whipple and Shelley. Authorities have found a broken and bloody knife that is consistent with a knife missing from the home, the documents state. Authorities have also located a PVC pipe with a red substance on it as well as a ‘hastily buried’ teal skirt matching a description given of an item of Shelley’s clothing. Whipple’s watch and hooded sweatshirt also tested positive for Shelley’s DNA.
Prosecutors believe the evidence found from these items is sufficient reason to charge Whipple with the murder of his niece.
This developing story will continue to be updated as more details become available.