Investigation into murder of 15-year-old girl in Valkeakoski moves to prosecution phase

The investigation into the murder of a 15-year-old girl has been completed and has moved on to the prosecution phase. The girl was found dead in Valkeakoski in May. An 18-year-old man suspected of the murder was arrested on the same evening.

The case has been advanced to the prosecutor under the same charges as presented in the police investigation: the 18-year-old is suspected of murder and aggravated sexual assault against a child. Due to the victim’s age and the nature of the crimes, police have been tight-lipped about the details.

“The investigation was carried out as confidentially as possible,” reported lead investigator Detective Chief Inspector Jari Luoto. The case has deeply affected the Finnish public. The suspect has a prior conviction for robbery, for which he was serving probation at the time of the incident.

Interestingly, the suspect had posted on an online forum expressing a desire to strangle a woman. However, there is no evidence in the investigation that the suspect and the victim were acquainted prior to the incident. During interrogations, the suspect admitted to being at the scene and causing injuries to the victim. Additionally, police have collected DNA evidence that links the suspect to the victim.

On the night of the incident, the 15-year-old girl did not return home, prompting her friends to report her missing to emergency services. Her body was subsequently discovered in a nearby forest by the young people who had been with her earlier that evening.