8 Year Old California Girl Stabbed to Death by Intruder

Police have no suspect leads at this point and are asking the public in to use great caution.

(VALLEY SPRINGS, CA) - 8 year old Leila Fowler was found by her 12 year old brother Saturday after she had been stabbed to death in their family home on Rippon Road in Valley Springs, California. He encountered a male intruder in the home, at which point the man fled. Leila was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to officials.

Sheriff's officials say that investigators were able to collect fingerprints and what they believe is DNA from the home; authorities hope to have lab results on the evidence in a week according to Capt. Jim Macedo of the Calaveras County Sheriff's office. An autopsy of Leila Fowler is scheduled to be conducted on April 29^th which officials are hoping may shed additional light on the suspect.

Though one neighbor did report seeing a man running from the home, authorities do not have the suspect in their sights at this time. Investigators have interviewed several people in and around the tragedy, and are following up on tips that have come in to the sheriff's office, including possible leads from outside the county, officials said. But so far, no information on the particular suspect has been released.

The suspect was initially described as a White or Hispanic male, with longer gray hair, six foot tall, muscular build, last seen wearing a black long sleeved shirt and blue pants. This suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Residents in the area were advised via Reverse 911 and Nixle mass notification systems to lock their doors and report suspicious activity. If you see someone in the area matching the suspect’s description, report it immediately to the Sheriff’s Office and call 9-1-1.

Authorities spent Saturday night and into Sunday conducting a door-to-door sweep of homes, checking storage sheds, out buildings, horse stables, even searching attics of nearby homes. CHP helicopters swarmed the area and SWAT was brought in to aid in the search, but still the suspect has not been found. Police advise neighbors to stay in their homes and keep watch for any suspicious looking men in the neighborhood.

Calavaras County Sheriff Gary Kuntz said, "Members of the Calaveras County Search & Rescue Team assisted in an area search for evidence. Also at this same time, teams comprised of both uniform and plain clothes deputies, officers and agents were conducting wide spread searches and following up on in progress tips and leads."

When asked whether a composite sketch would be released, Calaveras County Sheriff's Office told Salem-News that their public information officer is part of the investigative team, and there is no information confirming whether the man's description was extensive enough for a sketch artist to recreate his appearance.

Leila attended Jenny Lind Elementary School in Valley Springs. Police have increased patrols around the school in effort to protect her schoolmates. Sheriff Kuntz said, "We have notified the district about this case and the circumstances surrounding the reports. The Sheriff’s Office will have an increased and very visible presence at both school bus stops and the local schools on Monday April 29th".

Grief counselors are being made available to students as well. She was one of 7 brothers and sisters in her family, according to KCRA.

A class of sixth-graders placed ribbons outside to remember Leila Fowler, she was a third-grader.

Valley Springs is a community of about 2,500 people in an unincorporated area of Calaveras County, known as "Gold Country," in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, about 60 miles southeast of Sacramento.

Citizens who have information are encouraged to report a lead or tip by either calling 9-1-1, or by contacting the Sheriff's Office 24-hour Tip Line at (209) 754-6030.

Sources: News release from Calavaras County Sheriff Gary Kuntz, heavy.com & USA Today

Joy Maxine Graves, published author, cannabis reporter and photographer is best known for her involvement as a Cannabis Freedom Fighting Activist. Joy has shown herself to be quite the trooper when it comes to fighting for as well as defending Truth, Justice & Honor, for protecting the "weaker guy", and for standing her ground when faced with nothing but hate and diversity. As the #2 most beloved personal "Jack's Girl" to the Emperor of Hemp himself (Jack Herer, RIP) for more than 13 years, which is how Salem-News.com encountered her by the way, we soon-after couldn't help but to noticed her flare for photography as well as her knack with people, and she has become a valuable part of the Salem-News team.