Layla Jeffery funeral: Mourners gather in Donald to farewell teen girl in moving service

A young girl allegedly murdered by another teen has been remembered as a “truly spectacular” person who would have “conquered the world”.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in the tiny Victorian town of Donald on Friday to farewell Layla Jeffery, 13, three weeks after her remains were found in bushland, about 1km from her home.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Victorian town farewells murdered teen Layla Jeffery

Family told the packed Donald Memorial Hall that the young girl — affectionately known as La-La, or Layla-bug to those close to her — was destined for a bright future.

“Layla was a truly spectacular person who would have conquered the world,” her aunty Kaitlyn Cheyne said.

“She grew into someone who felt a deep love for her family and friends, with a strong sense of self and the confidence to back it up.

“Not only was Layla a bright spark of light, attracting friends like moths to a flame, she was also an amazingly generous girl.”

Despite her self-assurance, family said the student was also “something of a paradox” — never wanting to be the centre of attention, and guaranteed no one was ever left out or forgotten.

She loved fashion, accessorising and skincare, was a collector, and had a creative streak that “blew us all away”.

“If you were silly enough to leave your phone unattended when she was nearby, you would absolutely have a secret selfie on there,” Cheyne said.

Her father Aaron Jeffery read David Harkins’ funeral poem She Is Gone.

“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile that she has lived,” he said.

“You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back, or you can open your eyes and see that she has left. 

“Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or it can be full of love that you shared.”

Mourners were asked to wear black hoodies or pink Hello Kitty items in her honour.

Family and friends were also invited to write a message on her coffin as an expression of love and connection to her.

The service included a compilation of photos from every year of her short life, and was followed by a guard of honour down the main street.

Business were closed during the service and some buildings lit in pink.

Loved ones will say their final goodbye at a private cremation on Friday afternoon.

Layla was reported missing on July 5, with her desperate family leaving the lights on in the hope she would walk back through the front door.

Tragically, her remains were found days later following a large-scale search.

A boy, 16, was arrested and charged with murder.