Lori Paige Missing Tallahassee FL found Dead – Lori Paige, a 13-year-old student at Griffin Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, was tragically found dead over the weekend, nearly a year after she was reported missing by her father. Her remains were discovered on April 5, 2024, at the Merrily Plantation in Thomas County, Georgia. Following the discovery, Lori’s father, Andrew Wiley, was arrested in connection with her death and charged with second-degree murder. This case has shocked the Tallahassee community, drawing attention to the investigation that spanned almost a year and involved multiple states.
Lori was last seen on June 3, 2023, in the Continental Court neighborhood of Tallahassee. Her father, Andrew Wiley, reported her missing, stating that she had left home during the night with her backpack while he was at work. Initially, it appeared to be a missing person case, but as the investigation progressed, authorities began to suspect foul play. Despite a year of searching and following up on leads, Lori’s whereabouts remained unknown until the discovery of her remains earlier this month.
The investigation into Lori’s disappearance involved numerous interviews, searches, and forensic analyses. Detectives explored leads across several states, but it wasn’t until early 2024 that they started to focus more closely on Lori’s father, Andrew Wiley. In February of that year, authorities seized a phone from his residence. A forensic analysis of the device revealed disturbing internet searches related to remote areas with bodies of water in both Alabama and Georgia. These findings raised further concerns about the potential involvement of Wiley in his daughter’s disappearance.
In the months leading up to the discovery of Lori’s remains, investigators also delved deeper into the nature of Wiley’s relationship with Lori, prompting them to re-examine his initial statements and behavior. This new focus led detectives to search a remote, brush-covered area in Thomas County, Georgia, known as the Merrily Plantation. Despite multiple searches, initial efforts did not yield any evidence.
However, the breakthrough came in early April 2024, when a prescribed burn was carried out in the area, clearing away the heavy brush. This allowed investigators to return to the plantation and resume their search with greater visibility. On April 5, the remains of Lori Paige were discovered, and her identity was confirmed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
The arrest of Andrew Wiley was made shortly after the remains were identified. He was charged with second-degree murder, although the specifics of his arrest, including the time and location, have not been disclosed by the authorities. The arrest marks a significant development in the case, but many questions remain unanswered, including the exact circumstances surrounding Lori’s death.
During a press conference on April 5, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell expressed the community’s sorrow over the case. “Lori deserved a safe home and a full life,” Chief Revell stated. “While today’s arrest will never bring her back, it does bring us one step closer to justice.”
The case of Lori Paige has left a lasting impact on the Tallahassee community, which had been deeply affected by the long search for the missing girl. As the investigation moves forward, authorities are working to piece together the details of Lori’s final days and the events that led to her tragic death. For now, the focus remains on seeking justice for the young girl whose life was cut short far too soon.
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