New details emerge in missing 5-year-old case

Police found the body of 5-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley Wednesday afternoon after murder suspect Alex Whipple led them to the body.

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said prosecutors negotiated with Whipple and agreed to take the death penalty “off the table” in exchange for Whipple leading them to the body, which was found buried near her home.

“This is the moment we hoped would come. This is obviously not the outcome we anticipated. We wanted to bring Lizzy home. But at least now we have closure,” Jensen said.

While they still need to confirm, Jensen said authorities are “pretty sure we found Lizzy.”

Jensen also added there would “definitely be additional searches,” and it still isn’t clear how she died, or the motives behind her death.

Jill Parker, a spokesperson for Lizzy’s family, attempted to hold back tears as she read a statement from the child’s mother.

“There are no words to express our heartbreak. This is not the outcome we wanted. However, we feel loved and comforted by the community during this time,” Parker said as she read an excerpt from the statement.

Shelley’s family has asked for privacy during this process.

Although the death penalty is no longer part of the negotiations for Whipple, it is still unclear whether he will plead guilty.

The Logan City Police Department anticipates more details to come in the next few days.