Nearly two years after 12-year-old Lori Paige vanished, her father has been arrested and charged in connection with her death, marking a heartbreaking turn in a case that has haunted Florida law enforcement and the local community since 2023.
On March 11, 2025, the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) announced the arrest of 36-year-old Andrew Wiley for second-degree murder in the death of his daughter, Lori Paige.
The arrest follows a 22-month-long investigation that crossed state lines and ultimately ended in tragedy with the discovery of Lori’s remains in rural Georgia.
Wiley had reported Lori missing on June 3, 2023, claiming she had left their home overnight with her backpack while he was at work.
The initial report sparked a massive search effort that spanned months.
But it wasn’t until April 5, 2025, that Lori’s remains were discovered in a remote, brush-covered area of Thomas County, Georgia—a site only revealed after a burn cleared the dense undergrowth and digital evidence led investigators to the location.
According to police, Wiley became a suspect earlier this year when investigators uncovered inconsistencies in his original statements, along with new information about his relationship with Lori. Detectives had followed “hundreds of leads across state lines,” as they painstakingly pieced together Lori’s final moments.
TPD Chief Lawrence Revell addressed the public following the arrest, reaffirming the department’s commitment to finding justice for Lori.
“I told you two years ago we would never give up. I told you two years ago we would find Lori and we would bring her home,” Revell said. “I told you two years ago that we would find who did this and we would arrest them and bring them to justice. And today, I stand before you to tell you we have done just that.”
Chief Revell emphasized the tragic loss of a young life full of promise.
“Lori deserved a safe home and a full life. While today’s arrest will never bring her back, it does bring us one step closer to justice” said Chief Revell.
The case has reignited concerns about child welfare and highlighted the vital role of digital forensics, community engagement, and cross-agency cooperation in solving long-term missing child cases.
Wiley is currently being held pending further legal proceedings. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and they urge anyone with additional information to contact the Tallahassee Police Department.
