Justine’s father and stepmother are both in custody and charged with aggravated murder, as well as cruel or violent treatment of a minor, according to a VP statement issued November 21.
Police said that they had unraveled a very complicated case involving many different procedural actions including including 11 expert consultations, 41 interrogations, plus several searches and seizures.
The case dates back to May when the seven-year-old was reported missing by the pair who are now the prime suspects.
As reported by LSM at the time, a major search was organized involving dozens of volunteers as well as police and other experts, in Rēzekne district. The search was unsuccessful until June 20, when police announced that Justīne’s remains had been found with obvious injuries, buried in the basement of an abandoned house.
Justīne’s father and stepmother were then immediately arrested on suspicion of her murder, and they were placed in custody as a security measure. Later, they pleaded partially guilty to causing her girl’s death, while denying intentional homicide.
