The body of a teenage girl who has been missing for over 7 years has been recovered.
What We Know:
- The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that remains were discovered on private property near Stagebridge Road along Route 29 on December 3rd, 2020, in Lovingston, Virginia. On February 5th, 2021, the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identity of the remains as 17-year-old Alexis Tiarra Murphy.
- According to ABC 13 News, Murphy was believed to be heading to Lynchburg to go shopping when she vanished without a trace. She was last seen alive on a surveillance video at a Liberty gas station in the Lovingston-area on Aug. 3, 2013.
- In 2014, investigators were able to collect enough physical evidence to convict 48-year-old Randy Taylor for the kidnapping and murder of Alexis Murphy. Taylor was found guilty and charged two life sentences in prison. In 2016, he was denied an appeal by the Virginia Supreme Court.
- Since that time, the case has remained active in hopes of recovering Murphy’s remains. On Wednesday, Nelson County Sheriff David Hill did not say what led officials to that location but believes that the community, partnered with FBI investigators, was what kept the case alive.
“No one gave up. It’s been continuously family, friends, the agencies that have been involved,” he said. “Federal agencies, state agencies and the community as a whole.”
- Alexis’s family released a statement that wrote, ” Our family is so grateful for the continuing love, support, and prayers for Alexis and our family over the past 7 years. While we have been grieving the loss of Alexis since 2013, we remained hopeful that she would be found alive and well. Alexis was the fashionista, athlete, and joker of our family; we were blessed to have loved her for 17 years, and her memory will continue to live on through us all.
- “Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to the citizens of Nelson County, the FBI, the Virginia State Police, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, and all of the search and rescue teams for your commitment and unwavering support to find Alexis. You all kept the promise made in 2013 to bring Alexis home” they continued.
The family has denied requests to speak to the media and asks for prayers during this difficult time.
