How did the girl's father know the monster drowned her?
He wasn't there.
shareOn Henry's wedding day, Victor told him "He's been seen in the hills, terrorizing the mountainside." Obviously by that point, rumors were starting to circulate about a monster or at least a large, disfigured stranger roaming about.
Ludwig (Maria's father) probably had not heard such rumors yet, or else he wouldn't have left Maria by herself. Perhaps he heard about the monster while he was out checking his traps, or maybe a neighbor filled him in after he discovered Maria's body.
And while the movie doesn't show it, there was probably some physical evidence linking the creature to Maria's drowning. There is a very brief scene in which we see the creature walking into the lake, searching for Maria. No doubt he left some very large bootprints in the mud.
His exact words were "She's been murdered." I just assumed that he knew Maria was a bad swimmer and wouldn't have dared to get in the water. Since she was found in the water she must've been put there because she wouldn't go in on her own. He knew someone was responsible but didn't know who. Then when he carried her body into town they put 2 and 2 together. At least that's how I saw things.
shareThe little girl was thrown far out. Unless she jumped that distance as a bad swimmer it was murder.
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