Juvenile Behind Bars for Sister’s Murder
CALAVERAS – Two weeks after the fatal stabbing of Leila Fowler in her residence, Calaveras County Sheriff Gary Kuntz reported Leila’s brother, 12, had been arrested on suspicion of killing his sister.
Leila Fowler, 8-years-old
The juvenile was booked at approximately 5:10p.m., Saturday, Kuntz declared during the press conference at the sheriff’s substation in Valley Springs.
Leila, who was only 8-years-old, was murdered Saturday, April 27, at her residence in Valley Springs after suffering through several stab wounds. Leila’s brother made claims to investigators that a home-intruder had murdered his sister.
From left, Lt. Dave Seawell, Sheriff Gary Kuntz and Sgt. Chris Hewitt appear at a press conference in which it was announced 8-year-old Leila Fowler’s brother had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The sheriff will release more information online “when deemed appropriate.” He answered no questions.
On May 11, 2013 after a comprehensive 15-day investigation into Leila Fowler’s homicide case, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Leila’s 12-year-old brother on charges of murder.
Until today, the Sheriff’s Office told the community to be on the look-out for a home-intruder who allegedly broke into the house and murdered Leila while her brother was in a different room. The brother told investigators he briefly saw the man as he was fleeing his house and then found his sister with stab wounds. According to sheriffs’ statements, that story is untrue.
Valley Springs residents await announcement of arrest of Fowler’s alleged killer.
The community has been uneasy since April 27, and residents have taken more safety precautions such as locking doors, keeping windows and blinds shut and reporting “suspicious” activity.
Sheriff Kuntz advised the community that it could now “sleep easier.”
Read more:
Calaveras Enterprise.com: Leila’s 12-year-old brother arrested on suspicion of murder
Calaverasgov.US : Arrest Made in Leila Fowler Investigation
LA Times.com: Leila Fowler’s mother says her son would ‘never hurt his sister’
ABCNEWS.go.com: Leila Fowler: Brother Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of 8-year-old California girl
