JEFFERSON CITY -- It's been almost a month since 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten went missing.

Police found her body two days later, leaving many to wonder what happened.

Wednesday Oct. 21

The sun was starting to go down when Elizabeth was supposed to leave her friend's house. It was a short, quarter-mile walk home. When she never made it her parents called police.

A command post was set up as investigators searched for Elizabeth late into the night.

Thursday Oct. 22

A new day brought new hope. Some 300 volunteers along with 100 officers searched the area around Elizabeth's home twice. By late afternoon so many volunteers showed up that many had to be turned away.

"People aren't out here concerned about insurance or liability," said Gene Bauer, who was turned away. "They're out here concerned for that little girl." 

Rain made it difficult for volunteers to search the area. As night came, police stopped cars for several hours handing out flyers. Family members made a desperate plea for Elizabeth's safe return.

"I want my niece home," said a tearful Vicki Olten. "I want her safe."

Day two ended much like it began, with a lot of questions and no answers.

Friday Oct. 23

A helicopter was brought in to help continue the search. At 10 a.m. Sheriff Greg White said he was hopeful Elizabeth would still be found alive.

"What we're endeavoring to do is find a young lady very much alive," said White. "And reunite her with her family. We still have hope."

KRCG News was with with the Olten family around 2 p.m. as they made buttons. Thirty minutes later, hope turned to heartbreak as investigators announced they had found Elizabeth's body a few hundred yards behind her home.

Police said a juvenile suspect led them to the body.

Saturday Oct. 24

The next day the sheriff announced the suspect was a 15-year-old and that he was seeking first-degree murder charges.

Wednesday Oct. 28

A week after Elizabeth first went missing, she was laid to rest.

"My heart breaks for them," said someone who attended the funeral. "I just feel any kind of support shown to them is very important."

As her family said goodbye, lawyers and a judge gathered in a courtroom to discuss the murder case against the 15-year-old.

"I don't know where my client will get a fair trial once this name is released," said Kurt Valentine, the juvenile's lawyer. "And [once] the facts of the case are released."

Check out the interactive timeline. Click on a timeline picture for more information: