Father Arrested for Daughter’s Murder: Allegations of Sexual Abuse Surface
TALLAHASSEE, FL — In a tragic case that has shocked the community, Andrew Wiley, 32, was arrested in April for the murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Lori Paige. Prosecutors in Florida now allege that Wiley likely killed his daughter following a pattern of sexual abuse that resulted in her pregnancy.
Discovery and Circumstances of the Crime
Lori Paige’s body was discovered in a wooded area of Thomas County, Georgia, shortly after her father reported her missing. Initially, police labeled her disappearance as a “runaway” case. However, inconsistencies in Wiley’s statements raised suspicions during the investigation. Prosecutor Jack Campbell revealed that evidence suggests Paige was pregnant when she was killed.
Hours after disposing of his daughter’s body, Wiley allegedly purchased a flight to Puerto Rico from Jacksonville, Florida, but returned to Tallahassee shortly thereafter. Authorities noted that he reported her missing while claiming she left home with a backpack during his night shift.
The Investigation and Arrest
Evidence collected during the investigation painted a disturbing picture of Wiley’s actions. Authorities discovered Paige’s blood in his vehicle, despite his attempts to clean it with specialized products. A thorough search of the car, conducted two months before the body was located, unearthed various suspicious items, including a pistol and ammunition.
Furthermore, investigators analyzed Wiley’s phone and found searches for remote bodies of water in both Alabama and Georgia, ultimately helping to locate Paige’s remains. "The biggest evidence in the case was his phone leading us to this plantation where her body was eventually found," Campbell stated.
In the months leading to her discovery, authorities considered arresting Wiley based on circumstantial evidence; however, they hesitated due to fears of possible sex trafficking involving Paige.
Tragic Outcome
Wiley, who was charged with second-degree murder, died in jail from complications linked to a pulmonary embolism just last week. The prosecutor expressed that while they are not pursuing the death penalty for now, the case’s complexities surrounding premeditation make legal outcomes uncertain.
“This seems to be much more a horrific sex crime and a resulting murder that was necessitated by that sexual abuse,” Campbell remarked.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young girl whose life was cut tragically short amid familial betrayal.
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