Homicide detectives have been instructed to charge a suspect with the murder of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne following advice received from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in connection with the homicide investigation.

Homicide detectives had submitted a file to the DPP after completing enquiries into the killing of the primary school student of Erin.

On Wednesday, instructions were received from Special Advisor Joan Honore-Paul to charge the suspect, of Beach Road, Palo Seco, with the offence of murder.