That's the most substantive information that police in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale have released about what they believe happened to 5-year-old Jhessye Shockley, who was reported missing Oct. 11.
Police didn't specify who they think killed the little girl.
A month ago, detectives arrested Jhessye's mother, Jerice Hunter, on a child abuse charge related to the girl and announced at the time that they didn't believe they'd find her alive.
Hunter was released days after her Nov. 21 arrest when prosecutors said they wanted further investigation. She has maintained she had nothing to do with her daughter's disappearance, and has been critical of investigators.
Police say she has declined to submit to a lie-detector test.