Mourning in Döbeln
Killed Valeriia: Investigators have no hot lead yet
More than 400 police officers were deployed in the search for the Ukrainian girl. Photo
© Robert Michael/dpa
The violent death of nine-year-old Valeriia from Döbeln in Saxony has caused horror. Investigators are feverishly searching for the perpetrator or perpetrators. People are mourning and remembering.
The investigation into the violent death of nine-year-old Valeriia from Döbeln are still running at full speed. There is still no hot lead to one or more suspects, said senior public prosecutor Ingrid Burghart on Friday morning when asked. Witnesses are still being questioned and traces are being evaluated. She also did not want to comment on the cause of death.
Valeriia disappeared without a trace on the morning of June 3rd on her way to school. After a search lasting several days, her body was found in a forest near Döbeln on Tuesday. She was the victim of a crime, but according to initial investigation results she was not sexually abused. The public prosecutor’s office is investigating manslaughter and murder.
According to Burghart, the investigation is focusing on the girl’s “social environment”. This includes family, acquaintances, friends and also possible contacts with sports clubs or school.
On Friday evening, the residents of Döbeln want to commemorate the murdered Valeriia with candles in their hands at 6 p.m. on the Obermarkt. There will also be a memorial service on Sunday. Since the news of Valeriia’s death, many have laid flowers, candles and stuffed animals near the home of Valeriia’s family. The town festival planned for this weekend has been canceled.