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Just last month, 8-year-old Leila Fowler was brutally stabbed to death while home alone with her 12-year-old brother in a quite Northern California community. Initially, the young boy blamed the tragic killing on unidentified intruders. But after a heartbreaking two-week long investigation, Fowler's brother was ultimately arrested for the shocking crime and now faces a homicide charge. Authorities took the young boy into custody over the weekend - few details surrounding the bizarre case have yet to be released.
On April 27, Leila Fowler was tragically stabbed at her Valley Springs home while the children's parents were out watching a Little League game not too far from the residence. When police arrived at the devastating scene, the unnamed 12-year-old brother insisted that he was the one to discover Fowler's bloody, lifeless body. He described her killer as an intruder - a tall man with long gray hair. Following the shocking incident, authorities conducted a thorough search of the home and neighborhood (including two nearby reservoirs). Neighbors also joined in on the massive manhunt after one eyewitness said that they saw a man running from the home after the attack. This story was later discredited by investigators.
Authorities also seized several knives from the home as part of the investigation. Leila lived with her father, stepmother, and siblings.
Finally on Saturday afternoon at around 5:10 p.m. (May 11), Fowler's 12-year-old brother was arrested and charged with homicide. Calaveras County Sheriff Gary Kuntz made this statement during a press conference on Saturday:
“During the past 15 days, we have conducted an expansive investigation… These types of cases require a considerable amount of time. It was our commitment to make sure that we did as thorough a job as possible.”
Kuntz confirmed that the young boy was arrested and would face the weighty charges of his crime - futher details surrounding the shocking case would “come out eventually.”
Kuntz concluded with, “Citizens of Calvares County can sleep a little better tonight.” Little other details were released, but authorities claim that the case is still ongoing.
On Friday (as suspicions against the boy mounted), his mother described her son as "very protective" of Leila. Priscilla Rodriquez believes that he ”could never hurt his sister.”
Shortly after the young girl's death, members of the community mourned her loss at the Jenny Lind Elementary School (where Leila was a popular 3rd grader). Her mother Krystal Walters tearfully thanked the crowd for their support - "I just want to thank the entire community and all of our family and friends for all the overwhelming amount of support you've given our family," Walters said at the time. "It will never be forgotten. Thank you."
Thoughts and condolences go out to Fowler's family and friends during this time of tragedy.
