A 13-year-old girl has been remembered as shy yet self-assured, cheeky yet deeply thoughtful, nearly a month after her body was found in bushland.
Layla Jeffery was found dead near Donald, in rural western Victoria, on July 9, five days after she had left home.
A 16-year-old boy has since been charged with her murder.
Family, friends and community members gathered at Donald Memorial Hall on Friday afternoon to farewell the teenager.
Many mourners arrived wearing black hoodies and Hello Kitty accessories, a tribute to the clothes and styles Layla loved most.
Her mother, Tahlia, wore a pair of fleece-lined tartan pants Layla had ordered but never had the chance to open.
Speaking at the service, Layla’s aunt, Kaitlyn Cheyne, described her niece as “something of a paradox”.
“She often disliked being perceived and liked to simply exist quietly alongside those she loved most,” she told mourners.
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.
