Lily Peters died of strangulation and blunt force trauma, coroner says

Madison, Wisconsin — Preliminary autopsy results confirmed that a 10-year-old girl found dead in northwestern Wisconsin  this week died of strangulation and blunt force trauma, a corner said Thursday.

Chippewa County Coroner Ronald Patten said the autopsy on Illiana "Lily" Peters showed the manner of death was homicide. He expects results from toxicology tests within four to six weeks. He declined further comment.

Peters disappeared Sunday night while walking home from her aunt's house in Chippewa Falls. Her body was discovered Monday morning on a walking trail.