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The remains of a 17-year-old girl who went missing from a small town in Virginia have been found, ending a search of more than seven years.
The girl, Alexis Tiara Murphy, went missing in August 2013 after visiting a gas station in Lovingston, about 145 km northeast of Roanoke.
Randy Taylor was charged a month after the disappearance and convicted of kidnapping and first degree murder. He is currently serving two life sentences, according to NBC affiliate KFOR-TV.
The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release on Wednesday that local, state and federal authorities “had pursued multiple leads and conducted extensive searches” at the time of Murphy’s disappearance but could not locate her.
“The search has continued periodically since his disappearance in 2013, the police extending each time the search area,” said the authorities.
In December, remains were found on private property in Lovingston. The medical examiner’s office identified them as belonging to Murphy earlier this month.
The sheriff’s office said it had delayed releasing the information until this week to give the girl’s family time to mourn and make arrangements.
“Although we have been mourning the loss of Alexis since 2013, we remain hopeful that she will be found healthy,” the family said in a statement released by the sheriff’s office.
“Alexis was our family’s fashionista, athlete and prankster; we had the chance to love him for 17 years and his memory will continue to live on through us all, ”they continued, thanking the police and the community.
“You all kept the promise made in 2013 to bring Alexis home! During this time, we ask that you continue to raise our family in prayer and in Alexis’ words, “Keep Hope Alive.”
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