A TEENAGE boy has appeared in court charged with the rape and murder of a girl who was found dead in a park last week.
Viktorija 'Tori' Sokolova, 14, was discovered by a member of the public in West Park, Wolverhampton, at about 7am on Thursday.
A post-mortem examination found that the schoolgirl, who lived a stone’s throw away from the murder scene, died from blunt force trauma to the head.
The Lithuanian-born youngster had been reported missing on Wednesday evening but no public appeal was issued by West Midlands Police.
Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of murder at their home addresses in Wolverhampton on Friday.
Viktorija 'Tori' Sokolova (Image: West Midlands Police)The 17-year-old has been bailed pending further investigation.
The 16-year-old appeared before Dudley Magistrates' Court this morning and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during a brief five-minute hearing.
He was remanded into secure youth detention accommodation until a further hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday.
It comes after Tori's family paid tribute to the her, saying she was "like a little angel" and "made our lives so colourful and full of meaning".
They added: "You will be living in our hearts, soul and mind forever. Goodbye our little angel."
West Park remained closed today while a comprehensive forensic examination continued.
