2 people charged with murder after body of 4-year-old Kentucky girl allegedly found missing, authorities say

In Kentucky, two people have been arrested in connection with a suspected murder after authorities said they believe they have found the body of a 4-year-old girl who was reported missing this week but has not been reviewed since September.

A body believed to be that of Chloe Darnel was discovered and sent to the medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for an autopsy and positive identification, according to a statement posted Friday on the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.

In addition to murder, Brittany Slaughter, 24, and Adam Hayes, 34, both of Williamsburg, Kentucky, are charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence, according to the sheriff’s department. Slaughter had custody of Chloe, the sheriff’s department said.

In a verified GoFundMe page for Chloe, her last name is spelled differently than it was spelled by the sheriff’s department.

Chloe “was a bright, happy child” who met an “unhappy end,” according to the GoFundMe account organized by a family member. Slaughter is Chloe’s aunt, according to the fundraiser.

The child’s parents and friends have become suspicious because they have not been able to see or speak to the girl over the past month, the GoFundMe said. Chloe had seven siblings, according to the fundraiser.

In other updates on the investigation, the Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday that it was looking for a red Mitsubishi Lancer that Slaughter was allegedly driving before his and Chloe’s disappearance. Both men were reported missing, according to the sheriff’s department, which added: “Initial reports indicate that Chloe has not been seen since late September of this year. »

On Thursday, the sheriff’s department said it found the vehicle they were looking for. The same day, Slaughter was found unharmed, according to the sheriff’s department.

No one from the sheriff’s department could immediately be reached for comment Saturday.