Police investigate apparent homicide of Wayland girl

WAYLAND, Mass. -- A Wayland teenager was found dead on Monday after her car was discovered a few miles away from her body. Her parents had reported her missing since Sunday.

Lauren Astley’s death was ruled an apparent homicide and more than a dozen investigators worked late into the night on Monday trying to find the suspect. Police searched a Wayland home trying to find clues to enlighten them on the death of the 18-year-old girl.

Several agencies looked in a garage of a home. This came just hours after the District Attorney’s office called Astley’s death an apparent homicide.

Across Wayland, friends and family packed a small church across from the Wayland Police Station to mourn their lost friend.

“She was a really good person. She was always happy. She was always upbeat. She just enjoyed life,” said Mike Trueblood, one of Astley’s friends.

Astley was last seen alive leaving work on Sunday night.

“Friends of friends. We’ve hung out a couple times, but it’s really hitting home now,” said Jeff Massicotte.

Astley’s car was found abandoned on Parkland Road in Wayland. Three miles away on Water Row Road Astley’s body was found in a wooded area.

"It's grown up to be an impenetrable jungle of buttonwood and buttonbush that you just can't get through very easily so it would be quite an effective place to hide something if you were hiding something," neighbor John Emery said.

Police will not say how Astley died, if they have any suspects or why they are focusing their investigation on a particular home.

Astley’s father, Malcolm Astley, said he’s confident the police will make an arrest soon. Confidence was a trait he always saw in his daughter.

"She was spunky and ferocious with me in a wonderful way," said Malcolm Astley. "A good laugh and a great enjoyer of life."

Malcolm Astley is not talking about the case in particular. He said he didn’t wait to taint the investigation. He is asking anyone to come forward who may have seen Lauren Astley on Sunday between 7:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. He is hoping that information could help police make an arrest.

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