National

Body of missing girl found in bushland near small town

By Samantha Lock

Jul 10, 2026

Police search bushland (file image) — Local police, the dog squad and search and rescue officers scoured bushland before the discovery. -AAP Image

The body of a 13-year-old girl who went missing on the weekend has been found in bushland after an extensive search by police, who say the death is suspicious.

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Police found the remains in Donald, a small town in rural western Victoria, late on Thursday afternoon.

A large-scale search was conducted in bushland west of Byrne Street after the teen was reported missing on July 5.

She was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald the previous day, but had not been heard from since.

Local police, along with specialist officers from the dog squad, air wing and search and rescue squad were involved in the search.

"While the remains are yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be that of the missing girl," Victoria Police said in a statement on Friday.Â

A warrant was executed at a residential property in Donald shortly after 11am on Friday as part of the investigation.

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have launched an investigation into the girl's death, with police treating it as suspicious.