Officials Canvassing In Search For Leila Fowler's Killer
VALLEY SPRINGS (CBS13) — It has been a week of terror for a small Calaveras County town rocked by the murder of an 8-year-old girl.
A purple ribbon is hung on a post to remember Leila Fowler, but it's also a reminder of unanswered questions about how she lost her life.
Seven days later the little girl's street remains closed. Deputies spent their Saturday canvassing the little girls' rural neighborhood looking for any information.
"I kind of feel like they're stuck; they're not really getting any further in the investigation," said one resident.
It was last Saturday afternoon when little Leila was found brutally stabbed to death. Her brother reported that while they were home alone he saw an intruder leave the house, only to discover his sister wounded.
Now a week has come and gone, but still no arrests. As the community mourns, Saturday's police canvass had neighbors weary.
"I think they're getting a little desperate that now they're knocking on everybody's doors," a resident said.
Deputies say they have sent a number of pieces of evidence, including knives, to the state crime lab for possible DNA profiles. As for witnesses, there seem to be very few. One witness, who claimed to the see the suspect running from the scene, recanted her story this week.
"They say they're making progress, but I don't know," said a wary resident.
Meanwhile, town residents are trying to get back to normal, like the Gregorys, who have a son who went to school with Leila. Banners still hang in her honor.
"It's nuts up here. We've never seen this up here," a resident said.
The California Department of Justice and the FBI are helping the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office.
