In the quiet community of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where families often leave their doors unlocked and children play freely in the neighborhoods, an unimaginable tragedy unfolded in April 2022. The small Midwestern town—known for its safety, warmth, and trust—was thrust into the national spotlight after the brutal murder of 10-year-old Liliana “Lily” Peters.
Her death didn’t just devastate a family—it tore apart an entire community. But what made this crime even more disturbing was not just its brutality, but the identity of the person responsible. The suspect wasn’t a stranger lurking in the woods, but her own 14-year-old cousin, Carson Peters-Berger.
A Sunday That Changed Everything
It was a typical Sunday evening on April 24, 2022. Lily had gone to visit her aunt’s house just a few blocks away, planning to spend the evening playing with her cousin before biking home. When she didn’t return that night, her father grew worried and called the police to report her missing.
At first, no one wanted to believe something bad could have happened. Chippewa Falls wasn’t the kind of town where children went missing. But as hours passed and night turned to morning, the sense of dread grew. The community mobilized instantly—neighbors, friends, and volunteers combed the streets, parks, and trails, searching for any trace of Lily.
By the next morning, the unthinkable became reality. Around 9 a.m. on April 25, officers discovered Lily’s body in a wooded area near the walking trail that runs between her home and her aunt’s house. The same trail she’d taken countless times before.
A Town in Shock
Chippewa Falls is a town of fewer than 15,000 people, where nearly everyone knows one another. The death of a child in such a horrific way sent shockwaves through every household. Flowers, stuffed animals, and pink ribbons—Lily’s favorite color—covered the fences and lampposts near her school and home.
The community gathered in silence during candlelight vigils, struggling to understand how something like this could happen in their safe little town. Parents hugged their children tighter. Teachers wept in classrooms. And for Lily’s family, grief turned to an unbearable mix of sorrow and disbelief.
Because when police announced the identity of the suspect, the heartbreak only deepened.
The Unimaginable Suspect: Her 14-Year-Old Cousin
Investigators soon revealed that the person responsible for Lily’s death was none other than her 14-year-old cousin, Carson Peters-Berger. The revelation left the entire state stunned.
According to the criminal complaint, Carson had confessed to the crime in horrifying detail. He told authorities that he had planned the assault and killing before Lily arrived. He lured her off the trail, struck her with a stick, strangled her, and then committed further unspeakable acts.
Even seasoned investigators described the details as some of the most disturbing they’d ever encountered.
What began as a simple bike ride to her aunt’s home had ended in a calculated act of evil by someone Lily trusted completely.
A Family Torn Apart
For Lily’s father, the discovery was beyond comprehension. He had lost his daughter—and at the same time, learned that his own nephew was her killer. Reports said that when Carson’s father learned what had happened, he broke down completely, unable to process that his 14-year-old son was capable of such horror.
The Peters family found themselves living in two opposing nightmares: mourning the loss of a beloved child while grappling with the reality that another child from the same bloodline was responsible.
In interviews, community members said they couldn’t imagine the kind of pain this family was going through. “It’s not just one child lost,” said one local pastor, “it’s two.”
The Legal Battle
Carson Peters-Berger was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault, and first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13. Due to the seriousness of the crimes, prosecutors chose to charge him as an adult, even though he was only 14 at the time.
In Wisconsin, such charges for serious violent crimes can move juvenile offenders into adult court—a decision that sparked both outrage and debate.
Some argued that no 14-year-old could truly comprehend the consequences of such acts. Others insisted that the brutality and premeditation of the crime left no room for leniency.
During early hearings, Carson appeared in court shackled, emotionless, his face blank as prosecutors read the graphic details of what he had done. The judge denied requests to move the case back to juvenile court, saying the nature of the crime warranted an adult trial.
If convicted, Carson faces life in prison.
The Psychological Puzzle
Psychologists and criminologists have since tried to make sense of how a boy so young could commit such a violent, calculated act. Was it an impulsive burst of aggression, or a sign of something deeply broken within?
Experts suggested that cases like this often reveal early warning signs—cruelty to animals, fascination with violence, lack of empathy. But in small communities like Chippewa Falls, such signs are often overlooked or dismissed as normal teenage behavior.
Neighbors described Carson as quiet, polite, and sometimes awkward, but nothing that hinted at violence. He attended the same middle school as Lily. Teachers were shocked when they heard the news.
The question of “why?” continues to haunt everyone who knew the family.
The Ripple Effect on the Community
In the months following Lily’s death, Chippewa Falls changed forever. Parents became more protective. The once-lively trail where Lily’s body was found grew silent, as children were no longer allowed to walk there alone.
The school district brought in grief counselors for students and staff. Local churches organized support groups for families trying to process the trauma.
Pink lights still shine in front of many homes—a symbol of remembrance for Lily and a reminder that innocence, once lost, can never fully return.
The tragedy also reignited conversations nationwide about how communities deal with youth violence, mental health, and early intervention.
Remembering Lily Peters
Lily was described by her family as a bright, loving, and creative girl who loved riding her bike, reading, and spending time with her cousins. She was known for her big smile and caring heart.
“She had so much light in her,” said one of her teachers during a vigil. “Everyone who met her loved her.”
Her schoolmates wrote messages on pink balloons: “Fly high, Lily,” “We miss you,” “You’ll always be in our hearts.”
Every year since her passing, the community holds a memorial walk in her honor. Parents walk alongside their children, holding candles and flowers, determined to keep her memory alive.
Seeking Justice, Seeking Peace
As the legal proceedings continue, Lily’s family continues to fight for justice. They have asked for privacy while urging other parents to be vigilant, to listen, and to protect.
For many in Chippewa Falls, time has dulled the sharpest edge of the pain, but the wound remains. A family was destroyed, a child’s future stolen, and a town’s innocence lost.
No verdict or sentence can undo what happened that night. But in remembering Lily Peters, the people of Chippewa Falls have found a way to unite—through compassion, through remembrance, and through the hope that no other child will suffer the same fate.
A Small Town’s Lesson to the World
The story of Lily Peters isn’t just about one horrific crime. It’s about what happens when the unthinkable strikes the most unsuspecting places. It’s about the fragility of innocence, the depth of grief, and the desperate search for answers that may never come.
In Chippewa Falls, people still leave flowers near the trail where Lily’s life ended. Children who were her classmates are now teenagers, growing up with the memory of a tragedy that changed how they see the world.
As one local resident said during a community vigil:
“Evil doesn’t always come from strangers. Sometimes it comes from where you least expect it. But even in darkness, we can choose to be the light.”
📘 Conclusion
The murder of 10-year-old Lily Peters will forever remain one of the most haunting cases in Wisconsin’s history. It is a painful reminder that evil can emerge even in the most ordinary of places—and that justice, while necessary, can never truly heal the broken hearts left behind.
Lily’s story continues to echo beyond Chippewa Falls, reminding every parent, teacher, and neighbor of the importance of vigilance, empathy, and love.
Because sometimes, the scariest stories aren’t from movies—they happen right next door.