The body of a missing 5-year-old girl who vanished from her home north of Salt Lake City on Saturday was found Wednesday in a wooded area in Logan, Utah, according to news reports.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Shelley's uncle, Alex Whipple, told police where the little girl was in exchange for removing the death penalty from the case, KATU-TV reported.
BREAKING NEWS: Police say Lizzy Shelley's uncle gave information about her body in exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table in his case. https://t.co/Z7wgjWU2hL?
— KUTV 2News (@KUTV2News) May 29, 2019
Whipple, 21, was charged with aggravated murder and child kidnapping Wednesday after his arrest Saturday on unrelated charges.
Police were called around 10 a.m. Saturday to a home in Logan after family members woke to find the 5-year-old missing.
Update 3:45 p.m. EDT May 29: At an emotional news conference Wednesday, Logan police Chief Gary Jensen announced charges had been filed against Whipple as the search for Lizzie entered its fifth day.
Whipple faces charges of aggravated murder, child kidnapping, obstruction of justice and abuse or desecration of a body.
Among other evidence found during the days-long search for Lizzie, Jensen said investigators found a broken knife with her blood on it which also matched the brand of a knife that went missing from the Shelley family home.
Investigators also found a PVC pipe with Whipple's palm print on it in an unidentified red substance. A teal and lace skirt matching the description of one Lizzie was last seen wearing was also found buried. Jensen said the skirt had blood on it.
Further, Jensen said DNA tests determined blood found on Whipple's wrist watch and his sweatshirt came from his niece.
Authorities continue to search for Lizzie.
Logan Police Holding Press ConferenceLogan City Police are holding a press conference with an update on the search for missing 5-year-old Elizabeth Shelley. MORE: https://ksltv.com/?p=415008
Posted by KSL 5 TV on Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Update 2:20 p.m. EDT May 28: Police said they found DNA evidence to suggest Lizzie was injured after she disappeared from her home Saturday.
"We don't know what condition she's in right now," police Chief Gary Jensen said Tuesday at a news conference. "We can't rule out any possibility, but we do know based on the evidence we've received that she's at least hurt, and that concerns us."
Logan Police Press ConferenceLogan Police are holding a press conference on the disappearance of 5-year-old Elizabeth Shelley
Posted by KSL 5 TV on Tuesday, May 28, 2019
The search for Lizzie continued Tuesday with crews focused on a half-mile area surrounding her home in Logan and a 10-mile area that authorities believe Whipple traveled Saturday, Jensen said.
Authorities have gotten hundreds of tips since Lizzie was reported missing.
"The case is progressing," Jensen said Tuesday. "We feel strongly that we have evidence connecting Alex to Lizzie's disappearance. ... I think our greatest concern right now is finding Lizzie for the family. We'll deal with the charges later, but of course, finding Lizzie is ultimately important.
Jensen said authorities have found DNA evidence that suggests Lizzie is hurt.
Police released new images Tuesday of Whipple.
These are photos of Alex Whipple and his clothing on Friday May 24. We hope this helps you as you are checking your...
Posted by Logan City Police Department on Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Original report: Utah authorities are searching for a missing 5-year-old girl who disappeared from her home in Logan, about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, on Saturday.
Police said Elizabeth Shelley was reported missing Saturday around 10 a.m. after she was last seen by her mother around 2 a.m., KSTU-TV reported.
The girl's uncle, Alexander Whipple, 21, who arrived for a visit at the family's home Friday and was also last seen around 2 a.m., was missing from the home Saturday morning, too.
Updated Missing Child Poster. Please call 435-753-7555 if you have any information.
Posted by Logan City Police Department on Sunday, May 26, 2019
Searchers have been trying to find Elizabeth Shelley for more than 27 hours now. We're working on the latest developments for @KSL5TV at 4:30 and 5:00. Hoping for a good outcome on this one... pic.twitter.com/pGPmEARPOJ
— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyKSL) May 26, 2019
Police said Whipple, who was found and arrested Saturday on a probation violation, is the main suspect in the disappearance of the girl, according to KTSU, but the child was not with him when he was arrested. Logan City police Capt. Tyson Budge told CNN he believes the case is "not going to end well."
Police called Whipple "uncooperative" in a social media post and said law enforcement agencies and volunteers are still searching for the little girl.
Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding her.
Whipple remained jailed Sunday on a $25,000 bond.
We’re back at the search area for Elizabeth Shelley this morning. The canal searchers were looking at yesterday appears to have been drained. pic.twitter.com/dZtpjts70x
— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyKSL) May 26, 2019
The search for missing 5-year-old Elizabeth Shelley has been expanded to the Hyrum area and more than 200 people are assisting with the operation, according to a Facebook post Sunday from Logan police.https://t.co/biKv6hPyAX
— Deseret News (@DeseretNews) May 27, 2019
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