Noon yesterday, residents of and visitors to the village of Irvingly alike were shocked by an impromptu lockdown, stranding many for no evident reason—the best even our reporters were able to obtain initially was that a "gruesome attack" occurred. Now, a representative for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has given more information.

"Midmorning yesterday, the body of a young girl was found at the edge of Hawthorne Hollow, having been relieved of the lower half of her body," the spokeswizard revealed. According to initial coroner observation, it appears to have been bitten off—explaining the increased presence of Beast Division employees in the area. The young girl in question has been revealed to be Miss Poesy Tuttle, 9, of Swallowbury, of no remarkable parentage.

The nature of the beast has not been revealed. Though some in the village have speculated that it might be a werewolf, given the timing of the attack, the Beast Division was quick to note that they "do not believe a werewolf attack to be consistent with the injuries sustained by the victim", though are not ruling it out altogether.

In the meantime, those presently in Irvingly remain on lockdown until further notice for their own safety.

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