THE remains of a murdered 17-year-old girl were found seven years after she disappeared at a Virginia gas station.
Alexis Tiara Murphy’s remains were located and recovered on December 3, 2020, in Nelson County, Virginia, authorities confirmed.
Alexis Tiara Murphy’s remains were located and recovered on December 3, 2020Credit: FBI
Randolph Taylor was convicted of abduction and first degree murderCredit: FBI
Her remains were found on a private property in the town she went missing in.
Alexis went missing on August 3, 2013 after stopping a gas station in Lovingston, Virginia.
Nelson County Sheriff’s Office revealed the news about Alexis’ remains on Wednesday in a kidnapping and murder investigation update.
Searches for the teen continued periodically since she went missing, police said.
Alexis was last seen alive on a gas station’s surveillance videoCredit: FBI
The Sheriff’s Office explained in the February 17 news release: “The remains were transported to the Central District Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) for positive identification.
“Positive identification was received from the OCME on February 5, 2021.
“With careful consideration for Alexis’ family being paramount, notification to the community was delayed to allow them time to grieve and make proper arrangements.”
Just days after Alexis’ disappearance, 55-year-old Randolph Taylor was charged for her disappearance, the Daily News reported.
Alexis’ remains were positively identified on February 5, 2021Credit: FBI
Less than a year later, Taylor – who is serving two life sentences – was convicted of abduction and first degree murder.
According to the news outlet, Taylor was connected to the missing case after reviewing the gas station’s surveillance videos.
The convicted man’s mobile home was found to have strands of Alexis’ hair and a piece of her jewelry.
The family of Alexis has requested privacy and issued the following statement: “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,” the family added.
“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.”
