More than 300 people filled the Donald Memorial Hall in western Victoria last night for an emotional public meeting about the alleged murder of 13-year-old Layla Jeffery.
Remains believed to be Layla's were found in bushland near the Richardson River close to the Donald Police Station on July 9, and a 16-year-old boy has since been charged with murder.
Residents submitted dozens of questions to police and council before the meeting, hoping for an update on the investigation.
Senior Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan addresses the Donald community at a meeting on Monday night. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)
Authorities were able to answer some questions. But they repeatedly told the crowd there were others they simply could not.
Mental health support agencies also addressed the crowd. They acknowledged there was a lot of "anger" in the community.
They described that emotion as a normal stage of grief.
Layla Jeffery, 13, was last seen in Donald on July 4. (Suppied: Victoria Police)
'This will take time'
Victoria Police Senior Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said police would continue visiting Donald for at least another two months as they follow up leads, review evidence and revisit key locations.
They warned court proceedings could take years to finalise and told the community not to expect a quick resolution.
"This will take time," Senior Detective Inspector Dunstan said.
"We don't want to give anyone false hope that this will be resolved quickly."
Police said they could not give specific answers about the case because doing so could risk the integrity of the court proceedings and coroner's inquiry.
Police search for evidence in the Richardson River in the days after Layla Jeffrey’s body was found. (ABC News: Darryl Torpy)
"If we start discussing evidence here, we risk jeopardising the case," senior Detective Inspector Dunstan said.
He said authorities were being particularly cautious because the alleged murderer was a child in custody who is set to face the Children's Court.
A line search being conducted in Donald. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)
Mayor's warning
Buloke Mayor Cr Graeme Milne delivered a blunt warning to the community about what he described as "very insensitive" rumours and speculation circling on social media.
"There's been a number of text messages and emails, and other social media stuff where people are building a platform for themselves," Cr Milne said.
Buloke mayor Graeme Milne addressed 300 community members at the Donald Memorial Hall. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)
"We've seen suspicion and innuendo that probably has no basis. It doesn't help the inquiry, and it doesn't help Layla's family."
He said unsubstantiated claims were fuelling anger in the town that was already reeling.
"A lot of this finds its way back to family and friends," Cr Milne said.
"They don't need that sort of stuff circulating around. Neither do councillors or support agencies."
The mayor told the crowd to "pull up" anyone spreading misinformation or disinformation.
"We're not going to put up with it," Cr Milne said.
"If we have to, police will call on people making untruths, and I will not defend them."
Thanks for 'thorough investigation'
Cr Milne said many community members wanted to know more about the alleged murderer.
He told the ABC, authorities were "extremely limited" in what they could say about the teenage boy's background and history.
"They are genuine questions, but they don't all need to be answered yet," Cr Milne said.
"We are not going to do anything that jeopardises this case."
He said he understood if community members found that frustrating.
Mayor Graeme Milne laying flowers at Layla's memorial in Donald. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)
"But if we have to put up with this for another couple of years to get the right outcome, then that's what we'll do," Cr Milne said.
"The community doesn't want anything less than a thorough investigation."
Jodie Hollis, administrator at community progress group Donald2000, said the town was grappling with a "surreal" sense of grief.
"I can understand how everyone's so inquisitive, but it will all come out in time," Ms Hollis said.
Jodie Hollis speaks with the mayor at the community event in Donald. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)
Ms Hollis said the community was grateful for the ongoing police presence in town and said most community members were feeling safe at home.
She said the size of the meeting showed how strongly the town had pulled together in response to the tragedy.
Community support
Lifeline, Headspace and other support agencies were in attendance.
They described the alleged murder as a community-wide trauma that would take years to work through.
Red Cross was among the support services at the meeting in Donald. (ABC News: Tamara Clark)
They urged people to seek help early and encouraged people to use crisis support lines if needed.
Cr Milne said council would, in time, analyse what had happened and what the community had learned to inform an improved "health and wellbeing plan" for the shire.
"There will be learnings from this that we put into our next plan," Cr Milne said.
"But it's too early now to start rejigging things while the whole saga is still unfolding."
