Human remains believed to be those of a missing teenage girl have been discovered in rural Victoria. 

Layla Jade Jeffery, 13, was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald – about 280km northwest of Melbourne – on Saturday July 4, and was reported missing the next day.

Police made the tragic discovery late on Thursday afternoon after a large-scale search around Donald for the teenager. 

While the remains are yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be those of the missing girl. 

A warrant was executed at a residential property in Donald shortly after 11am on Friday as part of the investigation.

The investigation into the circumstances of the girl’s death remains ongoing. Police are treating it as suspicious. 

Donald locals had tried desperately to find the missing teenager. 

‘I know both her parents and brother and I feel sick at the very thought that something has happened to Layla,’ a friend posted to social media before the remains were found. 

Layla Jade Jeffery went missing in Donald, with remains believed to be hers found on Thursday 

Locals had tried desperately to find Layla

‘I’m not a praying woman but I hope with everything inside me that this little girl is found alive. I cannot even begin to think how her Mum is feeling – as a mum, I can only imagine. 

‘If anyone at all has even the tiniest bit of knowledge, no matter how inconsequential, go to the police! 

‘If you saw Layla, even just for a mere second, you saw someone that made your gut churn or even perhaps have overheard something, speak up. 

‘This child deserves it, her family need it!’

Police are set to address the media on Friday afternoon. 

John McConville – chairman of Donald’s progress association, Donald 2000, said the large police presence had been unnerving for the locals in the tight-knit town of 1.500. 

‘People are just stunned it’s happened. There has been a police helicopter hovering over the crime scene around the river flats,’ he said.

‘It’s a huge concern… we feel for the mother, we’re all feeling the pain. What can we do, or what could we have done? This sort of kicks you in the belly a bit.’

The police airwing over bushland in Donald where Layla’s body is believed to have been found 

Loved ones had been frantically searching for Layla 

Anyone with information in relation to the matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au