Oklahoma City girl died by gunshot wounds to head

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An autopsy showed a 6-year-old girl died from gunshot wounds to the head - shots reportedly fired by her father, authorities said.

Oklahoma City police found the body of Denise Anderson early this morning in a wooded area near Star Spencer High School. Matthew Peoples - the girl's father - confessed to killing his daughter, police said. Peoples, 23, was arrested on a murder complaint in connection with his daughter's death and is being held at Guthrie's city jail.

Earlier today, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents scoured Peoples' Guthrie home for evidence.

Lakeishia Freeman, Denise's cousin, described her as a "loveable" girl with lots of friends. Freeman, 30, spoke on the front porch of the Oklahoma City house where the Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School first-grader lived with her mother, Secoria Anderson.

Freeman said the family is stunned and heartbroken because they're a close family and loved Denise dearly.

"There were never any signs of violence or trouble between Denise or either parent," Freeman said.

Denise was reported missing Sunday afternoon by her mother. Peoples initially said he had dropped the child off at the mother’s house but later confessed to killing her and told officers where to find the body, Oklahoma City Police Lt. Don Holland said.

Authorities looking for clues

Oklahoma City police notified Guthrie police about 4 a.m. today that a crime had occurred in west Guthrie. Guthrie Police Chief Damon Devereaux told The Oklahoman there is evidence that a crime occurred at Peoples' residence, but wouldn't elaborate.

Crime scene tape surrounded People’s house this morning, as well as an area stretching for about a block.

Devereaux said the single-story wood frame house is in a quiet neighborhood. Neighbors said they didn’t hear or see anything unusual last night.