Hundreds gather to farewell 13-year-old Layla Jeffery who was found dead in a bush - as 16-year-old boy is charged with her murder

Published: 13:43, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 13:52, 31 July 2026 A teenage girl is being remembered as shy but confident, sassy but considerate, almost a month after her body was discovered in bushland. Layla Jeffery, 13, was discovered dead near Donald, in Victoria's rural west, on July 9 after she left home five days earlier. A boy, 16, has since been charged with murder. Mourners filed into Donald Memorial Hall for her service on Friday afternoon. Many wore black hoodies and Hello Kitty accessories, Layla's favourite clothes. Her mother, Tahlia, wore a pair of fleece-lined tartans Layla had ordered, but never got to open. Layla's aunt, Kaitlyn Cheyne, told mourners her niece was 'something of a paradox'. 'She often disliked being perceived and liked to simply exist quietly alongside those she loved most,' she said. Layla Jeffery, 13, was discovered dead near Donald on July 9 after leaving home five days earlier A 16-year-old has been charged with the murder of Layla - who was described as shy but confident and sassy but considerate 'She was both shy and confident in many different ways; funny, sassy, kind, generous, stylish, sweet, cheeky, loving and considerate. 'I could go on and on and on, but it would still never be enough words to express the depth of her character, or the loss we are all feeling.' Layla - La-La or Laylabug to family and friends - loved to climb things, spend time with her grandfather and motorbikes, and had begun taking an interest in fashion before her death, Ms Cheyne said. Her father Aaron fought through a reading of David Harkins' poem She Is Gone. 'You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on,' he read. Local pastor and celebrant Lisa Woods played a slideshow of pictures captured throughout Layla's 13 years, many showing her surrounded by family and friends. Loved ones covered Layla's small white coffin with messages and love hearts in bright pink and green inks, before it was rolled away for cremation. She leaves behind her father, mother and brother Eddy and a host of family pets. Local and dog squad police, air wing, and a search and rescue unit were involved in the large-scale search of bushland near Byrne Street in Donald Layla Jeffery was reported missing on July 5 after she was last seen on McCracken St in Donald the previous day  Authorities were first alerted to Layla's disappearance on July 5, after she left home the day before. Local and dog squad police, air wing, and a search and rescue unit were involved in the large-scale search of bushland near Byrne Street in Donald. The missing persons squad searched a local home the day after discovering Layla's remains. Officers arrested a 16-year-old boy at the property and later charged him with one count of murder. He cannot be named due to his age and the matter remains before a children's court. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.