Somer Thompson

After 7-year-old Somer Thompson vanished on her way home from school, investigators tailed nine garbage trucks from her neighborhood to a Georgia landfill nearly 50 miles away, then methodically picked through the trash as each rig spilled its load. They sorted through more than 225 tons of garbage before their worst fears were realized: Sticking out of the rubbish were a child's lifeless legs. Sheriff Rick Beseler said the quick discovery of Somer's body on Wednesday, two days after she disappeared, may have saved precious evidence that could lead to her killer. "Had we not done this tactic, I believe that body would have ... Read Full Story

Authorities believe a body found under trash in a landfill is that of 7-year-old Somer Thompson, a north Florida girl who vanished on her walk home from school, the sheriff in charge of the case said Thursday. Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said the tentative identification was based on clothing and on a birthmark that matched the girl's. An autopsy was being performed Thursday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Savannah after the body was found near the Florida state line. Detectives spotted the legs first and found the body partially covered by garbage Wednesday in a Georgia landfill, after investigators followed garbage ... Read Full Story

Sheriff: Somer Thompson Case Far From Cold Authorities investigating the case of a slain Orange Park girl whose body was found in a Georgia landfill say they have received 4,200 tips and are processing evidence. Somer Thompson RANGE PARK, Fla. (AP) - Authorities investigating the case of a slain Orange Park  girl whose body was found in a Georgia landfill say they have received 4,200 tips and are processing evidence. Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said Wednesday the investigation "is not a cold case... not by far." Investigators have not named any suspects or people of interest in the death of 7-year-old Somer Thompson, ... Read Full Story

Somer Thompson 's funeral was held today, and mourners remembered the 7-year-old Florida girl by releasing hundreds of balloons in her favorite color purple. Purple flowers covered her casket, and attendees wore purple ribbons. The little girl vanished a week ago on her way home from school, and her body was located in a Georgia landfill just two days later. Somer Thompson Somer's father Samuel told reporters at the funeral (via AP ): "My little girl is in heaven now. She doesn't have to deal with this wicked world we live in." Those at the funeral spoke of Somer's spunk and creativity, and how ... Read Full Story

Police announced Wednesday at a press conference that they believe a body found dumped in the garbage may be that of missing 7-year-old Somer Thompson . Thompson went missing from her Orange Park, FL, neighborhood Monday while walking home from school. Somer Thompson Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler broke the news that after securing garbage collected Tuesday, it was searched, and that's when the body of a white child was found partially obscured. "We do not have a positive identification at this time. The body was partially covered. All that we can see at this time are the lower extremities," he said while accompanied ... Read Full Story