by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
February 19, 2021
Missing Virginia Teenager’s Body Found After Disappearing Almost Eight Years Ago
Authorities have confirmed that they have found the body of a young Black girl who disappeared in Virginia back in 2013. According to a Facebook post by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, the remains of Alexis Tiara Murphy have finally been found in Virginia.
“Alexis went missing on August 3, 2013, after visiting a local gas station in Lovingston, Virginia. Local, state and federal law enforcement pursued multiple leads and conducted numerous searches, at the time, in an effort to locate Alexis. The searches have continued periodically since her disappearance in 2013, with law enforcement expanding the search area each time.
“On December 3, 2020, remains were located on private property near Stagebridge Road, along Route 29 in Lovingston. The remains were transported to the Central District Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Richmond 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.”
Murphy’s family released this statement:
“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!
“During this time, we ask that you continue to lift our family up in prayer and in the words of Alexis, ‘Keep Hope Alive’.”
Respectfully,
Family of Alexis Murphy
2013 Kidnapping/Murder Investigation Update: Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, #FBIRichmond and @VSPPIO Announce the Recovery of Alexis Tiara Murphy’s Remains. pic.twitter.com/0rYmZLupTW
— FBI Richmond (@FBIRichmond) February 17, 2021