Murder not suspected with child found dead

Photo: Ilja Smirnov

As affirmed by prosecutor's office, Darja (14) was found dead in the woods at Narva city northern edge yesterday afternoon. The girl went missing Friday night in the area of Rahu St, Narva. Forensic pathologist and investigators, having performed initial procedures on location, did not detect facts pointing to violent death.

The girl was last said to have been seen at a young people’s get-together on December 4th around 7:30 pm in Narva. From there she was supposed to head to Rahu St. She never made it there.

As her missing was reported to the police, almost 24 hours had passed by. The girl not coming home for the night was not explicitly extraordinary as she had been away from home for longer periods before.  

What was extraordinary, however, was that those closest to her had no contact with the girl. He telephone was switched off. During the weekend, the police contacted her circle of friends and tried to find out where she was.

The police also addressed the media. On Monday, volunteers were helping in the searches in Narva and around. Volunteer help was also scheduled for yesterday, but those closest to Darja found her body yesterday afternoon.  

A Postimees journalist on location said the body was found at a sports and recreation area in Northern Narva that the locals call Pähklimäe – at the utmost end of the area only accessible by a path of wooden planks.

The journalist talked to the girl’s aunt and uncle who said they found the body. They said the body showed no visible signs of violence. Their initial impression was that the body had been dragged.  

The recreational area is close to where the girl lived. «We went looking in places where fewer people go,» said the uncle and aunt.

According to information forwarded by experts on the site, nothing would indicate a violent death. There is no reason currently to suspect neither murder nor a sexual offence, assured the prosecutor’s office.   

Meanwhile, the exact cause of death is not known as yet while the expert analysis results are pending.  

For lack of knowledge what exactly happened, criminal procedure was launched yesterday morning on basis of deprivation of liberty. As fresh fact surface, this may be altered. The investigation is led by Viru district prosecutor’s office.

Thus far, the precise movements of the girl during the time she was lost is not known either. This will also be clarified during the expert analysis.

Ida district prefect Vallo Koppel said the investigators would do their best to quickly clarify the circumstances. «The death of every child is highly regrettable and we must do all we can do to prevent cases like this. Though there are currently no hints to the girl’s death being related to violence or any other crime, we will thoroughly deal with the facts,» said Mr Koppel.