Florida police said a 12-year-old girl who was found dead last week was possibly sexually abused by her father before he killed her.
According to Tallahassee police, Andrew Wiley, aged 36, was accused of killing Lori Paige on June 1, 2023, and disposing of her body in a wooded area in Thomas County, Georgia. Investigators indicated that prior purchases made by Wiley suggested possible abuse towards Paige, potentially of a sexual nature, as reported by WCTV.
READ: Lori Paige, Missing Since 2023, Found Dead; Dad Charged With Murder
The day following the homicide, Wiley purportedly bought a plane ticket from Jacksonville, Florida, to Puerto Rico. This purchase occurred shortly after he allegedly dumped his daughter’s body.
Phone records indicated that Wiley immediately drove to Jacksonville. For unknown reasons, he immediately returned to Tallahassee.
Police searched Wiley’s car last February. They reportedly recovered various items, including a pistol, ammunition, and car cleaning fluid.
As per WCTV, traces of Paige’s blood were found on the carpet of the car driven by Wiley, despite him having a cleaning agent specifically designed for blood removal. Additionally, police highlighted that Wiley’s vehicle lacked floor mats.
Wiley reported Paige missing, claiming she left home with a backpack while he worked a night shift. Police Chief Lawrence Revell said Wiley’s account showed inconsistencies as their investigation continued.
Notably, Tallahassee police said amid Paige’s disappearance that foul play wasn’t suspected in her case. They also initially deemed the missing 12-year-old as a “runaway,” though the police department has since stopped using that terminology in missing person cases.
On April 5, Paige’s remains were discovered at Merrily Plantation in Thomas County, Georgia. As of Monday, officials have not publicly disclosed how she died.
In addition to searching Wiley’s car, police seized his phone last February. An analysis determined that the device was used to search online for remote bodies of water in Alabama and Georgia.
Wiley is charged with second-degree murder. He remains jailed without bond.
[Feature Photo: Tallahassee police]
