The Latest: Body believed to be missing Utah girl is found

The Latest on a Utah man charged with killing his 5-year-old niece:

5:10 p.m.

Police say they have found a body believed to be a 5-year-old Utah girl taken from her home and killed by her uncle five days ago.

Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen said Wednesday that the body believed to be Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley was found in a heavily wooded area less than a block from her home.

Jensen said her 21-year-old uncle told his lawyer where the body was hidden. A positive identification is pending.

Jensen says prosecutors agreed to take the death penalty off the table in exchange for the map provided by suspect Alex Whipple.

The discovery came hours after Whipple was charged with aggravated murder, child kidnapping and other counts.

Whipple’s lawyer Shannon Demler says his client knows he did something inexcusable but wanted the family to find some kind of closure.

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3:15 p.m.

The grandfather of a Utah man charged with murder in the disappearance of his niece says his grandson had a sad childhood and many problems but never showed violent tendencies that would suggest he was capable of killing anyone.

Bill Whipple said Wednesday that the extended family is in shock about why 21-year-old Alex Whipple might have harmed 5-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley.

He says Alex Whipple’s mother left the family when he was young, leaving his father to raise three children alone while he worked as a truck driver.

He says Alex Whipple spent time in foster homes and didn’t graduate from high school.

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2:15 p.m.

A lawyer for a Utah man accused of killing his 5-year-old niece says his client has told police where the girl’s body is hidden.

Defense attorney Shannon Demler said Wednesday that 21-year-old Alex Whipple hid the body under trees and brush less than a block from the home of victim Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley.

Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen said the body has not yet been recovered.

However, he said officers have a “very credible tip” and are waiting for a crime-scene investigation team.

Demler says his client “did a bad thing” but wanted to help the child’s parents find closure. Police have been searching for the girl since she was reported missing Saturday.

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5/29/19 11:50 a.m. The uncle of a missing 5-year-old Utah girl has been charged with murder as a search for the child stretches into a fifth day.

Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen said Wednesday that even though the body of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley has not been found, her blood was located on a watch and a sweat shirt of her uncle, 21-year-old Alex Whipple.

Prosecutors say they also have a broken kitchen knife with the girl’s blood on it and her skirt, which was “hastily buried” near the family home.

Whipple was charged with aggravated murder, child kidnapping and desecration of a human body.

Investigators have been searching for the girl since Saturday. They say Whipple has not cooperated.

His attorney Shannon Demler did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

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1:55 p.m.

A Utah man who police say is the only suspect in the disappearance of his 5-year-old niece has been denied bail and will be kept behind bars as the search for the child continues.

Alex Whipple made a brief court appearance Tuesday in Logan on probation violation charges.

Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen said Tuesday that investigators have “strong evidence” including DNA linking the 21-year-old Whipple to the disappearance. However, he has not been charged in the crime.

Whipple’s attorney, Shannon Demler, declined comment outside court.

Jensen says evidence also indicates the girl is hurt but police did not elaborate.

Whipple was arrested Saturday after the girl went missing. Police say he has not been cooperative.

Whipple has a criminal record that includes an assault involving domestic violence, possession of a stolen vehicle and drug-related charges.

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11:35 a.m.

The search for a missing 5-year-old girl has stretched into a fourth day in Utah, with police saying her 21-year-old uncle is the suspect in her disappearance.

Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen told reporters Tuesday investigators have “strong evidence” including DNA linking Alex Whipple to the disappearance of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley. She was reported missing Saturday morning.

Jensen says the girl is believed to be hurt. He did not elaborate.

Whipple was found in a rural area and arrested Saturday. He is in custody on a probation violation and has not been charged in the girl’s disappearance.

Whipple has a criminal record that includes an assault involving domestic violence, possession of a stolen vehicle and drug-related charges.

It’s unknown if he has an attorney.