A 14-year-old Maine girl was found slain in her home on July 18, and a minor suspect is accused of murdering her.A statement from Maine State Police only describes the suspect as “a male juvenile from Maine.“It further alleges that “McLaughlin and the juvenile did know each other.“Police are also not revealing how McLaughlin was killed, saying only that the findings of an autopsy confirmed the teen’s death to be a homicide.The statement further notes the juvenile suspect is being held at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.McLaughlin — a 7th-grade student at Maranacook Community Middle School in Readfield — was found dead inside her family’s Mt. Vernon home just after 6 p.m. on Monday.Brooke McLaughlin.Roberts Funeral HomeHer identity was released days later,in a statementfrom her school.“Brooke was just firm and confident in her beliefs,” said Rick Sirois, dean of students at Maranacook Community Middle School,speaking tothe Portland Press Herald. “She’d sometimes ask to eat lunch in my office. We’d have casual conversations about life in general, and she was always a pleasure.“Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Sirois said the girl was “super protective” of her family, noting she seemed to be “mature beyond her years” and would seek out Sirois if anyone was mistreating any of her friends.She was also an animal lover, and had a pet bearded dragon — a type of lizard — named Ziggy.Brooke’s friend, Shaley Baker, toldthe Portland Press Heraldthat she was “goofy and fun.“The investigation into the girl’s killing continues, and anyone with information relevant to the case is advised to call (207) 624-7076.
A 14-year-old Maine girl was found slain in her home on July 18, and a minor suspect is accused of murdering her.
A statement from Maine State Police only describes the suspect as “a male juvenile from Maine.”
It further alleges that “McLaughlin and the juvenile did know each other.”
Police are also not revealing how McLaughlin was killed, saying only that the findings of an autopsy confirmed the teen’s death to be a homicide.
The statement further notes the juvenile suspect is being held at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
McLaughlin — a 7th-grade student at Maranacook Community Middle School in Readfield — was found dead inside her family’s Mt. Vernon home just after 6 p.m. on Monday.
Brooke McLaughlin.Roberts Funeral Home
Her identity was released days later,in a statementfrom her school.
“Brooke was just firm and confident in her beliefs,” said Rick Sirois, dean of students at Maranacook Community Middle School,speaking tothe Portland Press Herald. “She’d sometimes ask to eat lunch in my office. We’d have casual conversations about life in general, and she was always a pleasure.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Sirois said the girl was “super protective” of her family, noting she seemed to be “mature beyond her years” and would seek out Sirois if anyone was mistreating any of her friends.
She was also an animal lover, and had a pet bearded dragon — a type of lizard — named Ziggy.
Brooke’s friend, Shaley Baker, toldthe Portland Press Heraldthat she was “goofy and fun.”
The investigation into the girl’s killing continues, and anyone with information relevant to the case is advised to call (207) 624-7076.
source: people.com
