Alexis Murphy, 17, Missing Since August 3, 2013 -- Suspect In Custody -- Nelson County, VA

Nelson County, Virginia



ALEXIS MURPHY

ENDANGERED MISSING



UPDATE: Missing Nelson County Teen's Car Found

Posted: Aug 06, 2013 10:21 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 06, 2013 9:11 PM CDT

UPDATE: Police have located Alexis Murphy's missing car. It was found in northern Albemarle County at Carmike Cinemas.

Sheriff David Brooks confirms the 2003 white Nissan Maxima was found in a parking lot at the theater, but there is still no word on where Murphy is.

Murphy, 17, left her home in Shipman Saturday night. Brooks says they have surveillance video of Murphy from the Liberty gas station in Lovingston. It's the last time she was seen.

Investigators have expanded the search radius around Lovingston by 30 miles. They're looking for more surveillance video.

The sheriff says they're focusing on the Route 29 area with some 50 people on the ground and a chopper in the air.

Read more:

http://www.nbc29.com/story/23057973/update-missing-nelson-county-teens-car-found

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FBI takes the lead in search for Shipman girl (with video)

The Nelson County teen was last seen on Saturday. Her car was located at a movie theater Tuesday.

By Jordan Fifer | Thursday, August 8, 2013

Despite some similarities in the cases, investigators say there is no current information tying the disappearance of a Nelson County girl to the death of Roanoke County college student Morgan Harrington.

Alexis Tiara Murphy, 17, of Shipman was last seen Saturday when she left in her car, planning to get hair extensions for her senior portrait, her family has said.

On Tuesday evening, FBI agents, Albemarle County police and Nelson County sheriff's deputies surrounded a white Nissan Maxima with license plates that matched Murphy's car.

Read more:

http://www.roanoke.com/news/2134075-12/police-no-link-between-harrington-case-missing-nelson.html

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The Nelson County Sheriff's Office is looking for people with information about this case. Their number is 877-570-8477.

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UPDATED: FBI release name, photo of man arrested in abduction of Alexis Murphy

Posted: Monday, August 12, 2013 2:30 pm | Updated: 2:34 pm, Mon Aug 12, 2013.


FBI
Randy Allen Taylor, 48, of the 10000 block of Thomas Nelson Highway in Lovingston, Virginia, was charged with abduction in the disappearance of Alexis Tiara Murphy.

Police and the FBI on Sunday evening announced an arrest in the disappearance of 17-year-old Alexis Tiara Murphy, a Nelson County girl who disappeared Aug. 3 on her way to Lynchburg.

Murphy apparently has not been found.

Randy Allen Taylor, 48, of the 10000 block of Thomas Nelson Highway in Lovingston, Virginia, was charged with abduction, FBI officials announced Monday. He is being held without bond.

The teenager’s car was found in a parking lot in the Charlottesville area on Aug. 6.

“This remains an ongoing investigation and law enforcement continues to request the public’s assistance as they show pictures and conduct interviews and searches,” the FBI release said.

http://www.insidenova.com/news/crime_police/updated-fbi-release-name-photo-of-man-arrested-in-abduction/article_252d9606-02de-11e3-ae2e-0019bb2963f4.html

Suspect in Custody But Teen Alexis Murphy Still Missing



Randolph Taylor, shown in an undated booking photo, has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Virginia teen Alexis Murphy. (FBI | Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail)

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb)

Aug. 12, 2013

As classmates of Alexis Murphy head back to school today, the missing high school senior's mother made an emotional plea for her daughter's return.

"I want her to come home because today would've been her first day of school," Laura Murphy, the teen's mom said at a news conference today. "I carried my youngest son to school this morning but I didn't have my daughter to take."

"Please, if the public knows anything, please, please let us know. Please," Murphy tearfully begged.

The sobbing plea came as the authorities announced today Randolph Taylor, 48, had been arrested and charged with abduction in the disappearance of Murphy, 17

http://abcnews.go.com/US/suspect-custody-teen-alexis-murphy-missing/story?id=19938428

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Photo Gallery:

http://m.dailyprogress.com/news/local/abduction-suspect-named-in-alexis-murphy-case/collection_ece86e28-0374-11e3-8716-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm

Suspect Connected to the Samantha Clarke Case (Video)

Posted: Aug 12, 2013 10:55 PM CDT

Nelson Co., VA - Randy Taylor's arrest in Alexis Murphy's case has brought up questions about similar disappearances over the past couple years.

Morgan Harrington, Samantha Clarke and Alicia Showalter Reynolds also went missing. Harrington and Reynolds were later found dead. Clarke has never been found.

One case though, has a definite tie to Alexis Murphy.

Samantha Clarke's disappearance from Orange County has so much in common with Alexis Murphy's case, that Orange County investigators were in Nelson County Monday.

The common denominator in both cases is Randy Taylor.

It will be three years next month that anyone has seen 19-year-old Samantha Clarke, but Orange County Commonwealth's Attorney Diana Wheeler says the investigation has always been open and active.

Read more:

http://www.wset.com/story/23119051/suspect-connected-to-the-samantha-clarke-case

Link probed in ‘29 Stalker’ case

August 12th, 2013, 10:10 pm

BY PAMELA GOULD / THE FREE LANCE–STAR

Hours after authorities identified the man charged with abducting a Nelson County teen, a Virginia State Police agent called Sadie Showalter to say her daughter’s case would be part of the broader investigation.

Alicia Showalter Reynolds, 25, was abducted on March 2, 1996, as she drove south on U.S. 29 toward Charlottesville. Her car was found that day on the shoulder of the road in Culpeper County.

Her body was found two months later, about 15 miles away, in the community of Lignum. Her killer has never been found.

However, a string of similar incidents, primarily along U.S. 29 in early 1996, resulted in the moniker of “Route 29 Stalker” for a man in a pickup truck who signaled women to pull over suggesting they were having car troubles.

Read more:

http://news.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2013/08/12/link-probed-in-29-stalker-case/

Man in Nelson County abduction case figured in earlier case in Orange

He’s now charged with abducting another teen, from Nelson

Posted: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 12:00 am

BY BILL McKELWAY Richmond Times-Dispatch

A drifter’s arrest Sunday in the abduction of a teenager near where he lived along U.S. 29 south of Lovingston is reviving questions about prior disappearances of young women along the highway and elsewhere in Virginia.

Randy Allen Taylor, 48, made a brief appearance Monday morning in Nelson County General District Court hours after federal, state and county law enforcement personnel arrested him Sunday near the camper trailer he lived in.

Authorities announced that Taylor, who court records show has lived in Orange County and Virginia Beach, is being charged in connection with the disappearance of 17-year-old Alexis Tiara Murphy of Nelson County, missing since Aug. 3.

Read more:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/man-in-nelson-county-abduction-case-figured-in-earlier-case/article_9ce4512e-5faf-5116-9ed2-bd75db01df2c.html

BREAKING: Suspect arrested, charged with abduction in Alexis Murphy case

Posted: Aug 11, 2013 5:49 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 11, 2013 11:02 PM CDT

By WSLS Staff

NELSON COUNTY, VA - 11:35 p.m. update:

FBI continues to actively search in the Cannery Loop area.

According to our NBC affiliate in Charlottesville, the FBI has completely blocked off a property right off Route 29 in Lovingston. Two federal agents sat in a car blocking the driveway of the property. Behind that car was a number of large, unmarked vehicles and additional FBI agents. Agents on the scene would not say whether they were searching for Alexis Murphy or for clues in her case.

An FBI spokesperson also would not release any details as to what agents were doing along Cannery Loop.

Meanwhile, news of an arrest in the Murphy case is stirring a slew of emotions for the Murphy family. Our NBC affiliate in Charlottesville was the first on the scene to speak with the family.  They say they are glad there is a break in the case, but are still waiting for Alexis to come home.

"Obviously it's very bittersweet to know that they have a suspect, but Alexis isn't home yet. But it's a jolt of energy, hope and faith," said Angela Taylor.

Read more:

http://www.wsls.com/story/23106333/breaking

Suspect arrested in Va. missing teenager case of Alexis Murphy

Posted: Aug 12, 2013 5:45 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 12, 2013 3:01 PM CDT

By Associated Press





CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Authorities have identified the suspect arrested in the case of a missing Nelson County teenager case.

Nelson County Commonwealth's Attorney Anthony Martin says Randy Allen Taylor was taken into custody Sunday in connection with the disappearance of 17-year-old Alexis Murphy of Lovingston.

Court records show Taylor is charged with abduction by force, which is a felony. The 48-year-old remains in jail without bond.

Read more:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/23108179/suspect-arrested-in-va-missing-teenager-case#axzz2bv38ooeZ

Abduction suspect due in Nelson County court for advisement hearing Tuesday

Posted: Aug 12, 2013 11:36 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 12, 2013 9:44 PM CDT

By Katie Love, Reporter

Update 10:30 p.m.

We've learned Taylor is scheduled for an advisement hearing in Nelson County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court at 1:30 p.m Tuesday.

The hearing was moved out of general district court because Murphy is a minor.

Update 1:00 p.m.

If you have seen the truck, located on the left of your screen, within the past week the Nelson County Sheriff's Office needs to hear from you. Call 434-263-7050.



Read more:

http://www.wsls.com/story/23112680/fbi-asks-for-information-on-abduction-suspect-randy-taylor

https://www.facebook.com/missingcases

12 Investigates: Women disappearing from Route 29 (Video)

Posted: Aug 12, 2013 3:21 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 12, 2013 5:05 PM CDT

By Rachel DePompa
Posted by Shawn Maclauchlan



Alicia Showalter Reynolds disappeared in March of 1996. The 25-year-old grad student was meeting her mom to go shopping. Her vehicle was found on the side of Route 29. Nine weeks later, her body was discovered in a field.

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Investigators said today they are looking into to whether Alexis Murphy's case is connected to any other disappearances in our area.

12 Investigates looked at some of the high profile abductions and murders of women that have haunted our area. There have been a string of women to go missing in the Route 29 corridor over the last 20 years.

Something the Showalters in Harrisonburg know all too well.

"My biggest fear during those nine and half weeks was not finding her body," said Sadie Showalter. "That was such a big fear."

Alicia Showalter Reynolds disappeared in March of 1996. The 25-year-old grad student was meeting her mom to go shopping. Her vehicle was found on the side of Route 29. Nine weeks later, her body was discovered in a field.

Her killer was never caught.

Read more:

http://www.nbc12.com/story/23115645/12-investigates-women-disappearing-from-route-29

Living in the shadow: As Samantha Clarke's family mourns, a suspect claims police harassment

By Courteney Stuart | stuart@readthehook.com
Published online 10:04am Thursday Oct 25th, 2012



"This case needs to be solved," says Randy Taylor, who contends that a rush to blame him has driven law enforcement to violate his rights and plant evidence. Lisa Provence.

Every day brings fresh torment for Barbara Tinder.

"I keep expecting her to walk in the door," says the 37-year-old town of Orange resident, who has spent the last two years anguished over the disappearance of her teenaged daughter, Samantha Clarke, who was last seen in September 2010.

Meanwhile, Samantha's disappearance has devastated another person's life. 47-year-old Randy Allen Taylor claims police have singled him out as a suspect in Samantha's disappearance, and have harassed him by planting evidence and illegally tracking his whereabouts with GPS technology, even though he's told them he hardly knew her.

Read more:

http://www.readthehook.com/108360/living-shadow-samantha-clarkes-family-mourns-suspect-claims-police-harassment

Samantha Clarke, 19, Missing Since September 13, 2010

http://www.readthehook.com/108360/living-shadow-samantha-clarkes-family-mourns-suspect-claims-police-harassment

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/103215384.html

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Man Arrested in Alexis Murphy Disappearance May be Linked to Similar Case

Posted: Aug 12, 2013 3:51 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 12, 2013 6:13 PM CDT

Randy Taylor, the man arrested Sunday in connection with the missing teenager from Nelson County Alexis Murphy, may also be tied to the disappearance of an Orange County woman in 2010.

Now, the hope is Taylor's arrest could lend information to the case of Samantha Ann Clarke. Clarke was 19 years old when she was last seen almost three years ago. Now - Taylor's arrest is bringing Clarke's case back into the light.

Almost three years after her disappearance, the home where Samantha Clarke lived still carries her presence - the words "still missing" is written across the windows.

Read more:

http://www.nbc29.com/story/23116062/man-arrested-in-alexis-murphy-disappearance-could-be-linked-to-similar-case

Randolph Taylor due in court Tuesday

August 13, 2013 - 10:54 am



A day after Virginia authorities announced they are still searching for missing 17-year-old Alexis Murphy, new details are emerging about the investigation into her abduction.

WSET is reporting that the suspect in Murphy’s kidnapping, Randolph Taylor, is seen on surveillance footage at the Liberty Gas Station in Lovingston where Murphy was last seen. Murphy was also seen in the surveillance footage.

Read more:

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/08/randolph-taylor-due-in-court-tuesday-92680.html

Investigators: Alexis Murphy and Randy Taylor Both on Gas Station Surveillance Camera

Posted: Aug 13, 2013 10:25 AM CDT

By Parker Slaybaugh

Nelson Co., VA - ABC 13 News has learned from investigators that Randy Taylor and Alexis Murphy were both spotted on the Liberty Gas Station surveillance camera the night she went missing, August 3.

Tuesday afternoon, Taylor, who has been arrested and charged with the abduction of Murphy, 17, will appear in a Nelson County court room. Taylor will appear via video in Nelson County Juvenile and Domestic court at 1:30 p.m.

Authorities are also saying Taylor was a person-of-interest in this case very early in their investigation. They say their initial pool of person's of interest included between eight and 10 people.

FBI agents spent most of Monday at a home off Route 29, where Taylor was arrested.

Read more:

http://www.wset.com/story/23123660/investigators-alexis-murphy-and-randy-taylor-both-on-gas-station-surveillance-camera

Orange County prosecutor issues statement on abduction case

August 13th, 2013, 5:33 pm

Orange County prosecutor Diana H. Wheeler issued a statement today regarding the investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old Samantha Ann Clarke.

Wheeler noted that the man charged in this month’s abduction of Nelson County teen Alexis Tiara Murphy is someone Orange Town Police have been interested in speaking to about Clarke’s September 2010 disappearance because he was one of the last people to speak to her before she left her home either in the final hours of Sept. 13, 2010 or the early hours of Sept. 14, 2010.

Randy Allen Taylor, 48, of Lovingston, was charged Sunday with Alexis Murphy’s abduction. She remains missing.

Read more:

http://news.fredericksburg.com/justiceforum/2013/08/13/orange-county-prosecutor-issues-statement-on-abduction-case/

Suspect in Va. missing teen case appears in court

Updated 12:43 pm, Tuesday, August 13, 2013

LOVINGSTON, Va. (AP) — The Virginia man charged in the disappearance of a Nelson County teenager will remain behind bars until a January following a court appearance Tuesday, as details of his criminal past began to emerge.

~Snipped~

Taylor appeared in Nelson County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, handcuffed, shackled and wearing a gray jail-issued jumpsuit. He was appointed an attorney, and a preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 9.

Nelson County Commonwealth's Attorney Anthony Martin refused to comment beyond a statement in which he said the preliminary hearing will determine whether there is probable cause to send the case to a grand jury. Meanwhile, Taylor will remain at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail without bond.

Read more:

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/Suspect-in-Va-missing-teen-case-appears-in-court-4728467.php

Missing girl’s mom reveals new details in case

By HLNtv.com Staff
updated 8:19 PM EDT, Tue August 13, 2013

•Alexis Murphy, 17, vanished August 3 in Lovingston, VA
•Car found abandoned 3 days later at movie theatre
•Missing girl's mom speaks out to Nancy Grace



In an exclusive interview with HLN’s Nancy Grace, the mother of missing 17-year-old Alexis Murphy reveals new details in the desperate search for her daughter.

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/08/13/alexis-murphy-missing-virginia-shopping-trip-laura-ann-murphy-mom-speaks

Teen abducted during back to school shopping trip

By HLNtv.com Staff
updated 8:15 PM EDT, Tue August 13, 2013

•Alexis Murphy, 17, vanished August 3 in Lovingston, VA
•Car found abandoned 3 days later at movie theatre
•Randy Allen Taylor, 48, charged with her abduction; still no sign of missing girl



Alexis Murphy, 17, vanished on her way to go back to school shopping. Her car was found abandoned three days later in a movie theatre parking lot, but still no sign of the missing girl. What happened to Alexis Murphy?

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/08/13/alexis-murphy-missing-virginia-shopping-trip-car-found?clusterId=1400#videoplayer

Such beautiful girls, and such a creepy-looking guy.  It sure sounds like he may be involved in many disappearances.

Thanks for all the updates, Alessandra!

Family of missing teen waits for resolution in Nelson County

He is ordered held without bond in case of missing Nelson teen

(VIDEO: Court Appearance)

Posted: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 12:00 am

BY BILL McKELWAY Richmond Times-Dispatch

LOVINGSTON A grim and clench-jawed Randy Allen Taylor grunted a few brief words of acknowledgement before a judge Tuesday afternoon in Nelson County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Yes, he understood the charge against him. Yes, he wanted a lawyer.

~Snipped~

“We’re trying to stay strong,” said Laura Ann Murphy, who appeared with top law enforcement agents Monday when Taylor’s arrest Sunday was announced. Murphy, a Postal Service employee in Charlottesville for 19 years, praised the work of police in her daughter’s disappearance and said her co-workers are helping her get past the time off she has had to take because of the disappearance.

Pink ribbons are tied to dozens of street and highway signs leading to her home, a sign of hope that the high schooler who was elected captain of the school’s volleyball team will return home.

Law enforcement agents remained mum about details of the ongoing investigation, declining to release any specific information about what ties Taylor, a convicted felon, may have had to Murphy.

Read more:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/family-of-missing-teen-waits-for-resolution-in-nelson-county/article_6dfe1169-6733-5eb8-83a8-1212690fe487.html

@CuriousPortlander

You are welcome!

FBI agents search home of suspect in Alexis Murphy case

Posted: Aug 14, 2013 12:02 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 14, 2013 4:34 PM CDT

By Brent Solomon



(Videos @ Link)

NELSON, VA (WWBT) - Investigators continue to focus on Randy Taylor's home in connection to the disappearance of 17 year old Alexis Murphy. They're using K-9s and ATVs to search the woody property. Murphy's whereabouts are still a mystery. The man accused of her abduction, in jail - while investigators look at every clue, every tip.

After 11 days, there's still no sign of the 17 year old, even though Randy Taylor is accused of abducting her.

Jenny Harvey lives across from Taylor and spoke with investigators about the case.

"I had a gut feeling that something was wrong and when the FBI came here I told them I don't have a good feeling about this guy," she said.

Harvey says Taylor lives in seclusion in a home surrounded by woods. The case has now appeared on a cable news network and in a New York newspaper. Wednesday, the FBI said it is covering each new lead as they come.

Read more:

http://www.wtoc.com/story/23136468/fbi-agents-search-home-of-suspect-in-alexis-murphy-case

Alexis Murphy’s alleged kidnapper among last to see other missing teen: cops

Randy Taylor, who was arraigned Tuesday in the Murphy case, is said to be among the last to see Samantha Clarke, 19, who disappeared from Orange County, Va., in September 2010.

BY MICHAEL WALSH / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 12:05 PM


Hundreds gather in light rain for a candlelight vigil for Alexis Murphy on Thursday in Nelson County, Va. The girl has been missing since Aug. 3.

Read more:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/alexis-murphy-alleged-kidnapper-missing-teen-cops-article-1.1426611#commentpostform

Nelson County abduction suspect visited sex shop on day of missing teen's disappearance

Randy Taylor was arrested Sunday

Nadine Maeser, nmaeser@wdbj7.com
POSTED: 06:53 PM EDT Aug 11, 2013
UPDATED: 09:11 PM EDT Aug 14, 2013

NELSON CO., Va. - WDBJ7 has learned more about Randy Taylor's whereabouts the day Alexis Murphy went missing.

Video security cameras caught Taylor at an adult sex shop in Charlottesville called Ultimate Bliss.

According to Ultimate Bliss manager Kevin Bennett, Taylor came into the store on August 3 around 5 pm.

Bennett said Taylor bought two adult DVD's and paid cash for it with a $100 bill.

~Snipped~

Bennett also told WDBJ 7 that FBI agents knew exactly what they were looking for when they came into the store. He said investigators knew what Taylor had bought, what time he was there and how he paid for it. Bennett said they handed off their video footage to the FBI.

Read more:

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/arrest-made-in-alexis-murphy-case/-/20128466/21423172/-/10ry68e/-/index.html

Alexis Murphy: Route 29 the site of several disappearances

By Steve Chenevey
August 14, 2013 - 05:12 pm



As investigators continue to search for 17-year-old Alexis Murphy, they're reminded of other young people who have disappeared along Route 29 and whose abductors have never been found.

In addition to Murphy's disappearance near Lovingston, Dashad 'Sage' Smith disappeared from Charlottesville in 2012; Samantha Clarke from Orange in 2010; Morgan Harrington from Charlottesville in 2009 and Alicia Showalter Reynolds and Anne Carolyn McDaniel from the Culpeper area in 1996.

Those two cases were at the time of the Route 29 stalker attacks, where more than a dozen women driving along Route 29 reported being stopped by a man who flagged them down. All of them got away except Reynolds whose remains were found a few miles off the highway.

Read more:

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/08/alexis-murphy-route-29-the-site-of-several-disappearances-92749.html

Alexis Murphy search continues on suspect Randy Taylor's property
August 15, 2013

Snipped:
-----
More than 40 officers and a dozen dogs searched the woods surrounding the home where Taylor lived. Investigators searched to a wooded gully on the property about 10 feet from U.S. 29 for several hours.

One canine handler was heard to shout, "We found it!" Nelson County Investigator Billy Mays said no information will be released about the search; however, Mays stated the investigation has shifted from a missing person search to a criminal investigation.

Randy Taylor was arrested on Aug. 11, eight days after Alexis Murphy went missing, after a hair of Murphy's was found in Taylor's camper.
-----

Read more:  http://www.examiner.com/article/alexis-murphy-search-continues-on-suspect-randy-taylor-s-property

Attorney for Alexis Murphy abduction suspect says drug dealer saw teen last

Mike Hallahan says his client asked Murphy to set up a marijuana deal

Nadine Maeser, nmaeser@wdbj7.com
Chris Hurst, churst@wdbj7.com

POSTED: 06:53 PM EDT Aug 11, 2013
UPDATED: 08:00 AM EDT Aug 15, 2013

NELSON CO., Va. - Randy Taylor’s attorney will ask for his client to be granted bond during a hearing next week, WDBJ7 has learned.

~Snipped~

August 14, 10:15 p.m.

WDBJ7's Chris Hurst spoke with Charlottesville attorney Mike Hallahan Wednesday night who says Randy Taylor was not the last person to be seen with missing 17-year-old Alexis Murphy; and this all centers allegedly around a marijuana deal.

Hallahan, who represents Taylor, says Murphy met Taylor at the car wash where he worked last month. Murphy noticed Taylor was smoking marijuana and they talked about it.

Then, according to Hallahan, on August 3 Murphy saw Taylor again at the Liberty gas station in Lovingston and they again talked about cannabis.

Taylor asked the teenager if she could find him a dealer. The two went to Taylor's home where a black male in his late 20s sold Taylor some weed, Hallahan says. The man and Murphy left the home and that's the last time Taylor saw the 17-year-old, he says.

The attorney says authorities have known about this man and that he drives a maroon Chevrolet Caprice Classic with after-market 22-inch rims.

He also tells WDBJ7's Chris Hurst he plans to request a bond hearing in Nelson County to force the commonwealth to present its evidence against Taylor.

Read more:

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/arrest-made-in-alexis-murphy-case/-/20128466/21423172/-/10ry68e/-/index.html

"Taylor is expected to appear via video conference at 1 p.m. August 22 to ask for bond in Nelson County court. He’s been charged in connection to the disappearance of 17-year-old Alexis Murphy. She has not been seen since August 3.

Also new Thursday, WDBJ7's Nadine Maeser has learned that on August 7, Judge Leyburn Mosby signed off on a court order to seal all affidavits and search warrants pertaining to Randy Taylor's case and the address of 10506 Thomas Nelson highway."

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/arrest-made-in-alexis-murphy-case/-/20128466/21423172/-/10ry68e/-/index.html

Alexis Murphy's aunt just told Jane Velez Mitchell that the suspect, Randy Taylor, concocted the story about the alleged drug dealer to shift the blame to someone else, specifically, an African-America male.

Bond hearing set for suspect in teen's disappearance

Posted: Thursday, August 15, 2013 5:23 am | Updated: 7:14 pm, Thu Aug 15, 2013.

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

LOVINGSTON — A man being held in the alleged abduction of Alexis Tiara Murphy, 17 and now missing for 13 days, is scheduled to undergo a bond hearing next week in a Nelson County court.

~Snipped~

Taylor’s lawyer, Michael Hallahan, has told news organizations that Taylor was with Murphy at his camping trailer a few yards off U.S. 29 north of Lovingston the evening of her disappearance. A surveillance video shows Murphy at a nearby Liberty gas station about 7 p.m. Hallahan has said that Taylor met Murphy at the station and then the two left in separate cars to his home where he purchased $60 worth of marijuana from an unnamed black male.

~Snipped~

Taylor made similar claims about other individuals being the last persons to see an Orange teenager who has been missing since September 2010. Taylor made several calls to Samantha Clarke, the night she disappeared.

~Snipped~

(This has been a breaking news update. An earlier story from the The Daily Progress of Charlottesville is posted below.)

CHARLOTTESVILLE — On the evening Alexis Murphy went missing, she stood inside Randy Allen Taylor’s ramshackle camper while a man with her sipped Icehouse beer and smoked marijuana with Taylor, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Taylor, 48, didn’t know the man’s name, but purchased $60 in marijuana from him, said Michael Hallahan, Taylor’s court-appointed attorney. Murphy, 17, neither smoked nor drank as the group talked, Hallahan said.

The Nelson County teen and the man left in separate cars before dark, Hallahan said. He never saw them again.

Eight days later, after finding a strand of Murphy’s hair in Taylor’s camper, authorities arrested him on an abduction charge, Hallahan said. He is being held without bond in Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail and faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence if convicted.

Read more:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/bond-hearing-set-for-suspect-in-teen-s-disappearance/article_4df40330-058c-11e3-b14f-001a4bcf6878.html

New evidence in Murphy case, bond hearing set for suspect

Posted: Aug 15, 2013 3:12 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 15, 2013 6:17 PM CDT

By Brent Solomon

NELSON, VA (WWBT) - The FBI confirms investigators found several cell phones while searching, and now they're working to verify if any belong to Murphy. Another new development - a judge set a bond hearing next week, for suspect Randy Taylor. Meantime, Murphy's family questions Taylor's story of what happened.

"I think it's just that, a story. (You don't think it's true?) No." Trina Murphy said Thursday.

One day after abduction suspect Randy Taylor opened up through his attorney, Alexis Murphy's aunt is refuting his claims. Taylor says the missing teenager recommended a marijuana dealer at a Lovingston gas station. That's when he says the teen and the dealer met at Taylor's camper.

"Where the drug deal went down where my client purchased $60 worth of marijuana from this man," said attorney Michael Hallahan.

After that, Taylor says Alexis and the young man drove away in separate cars.

"I don't think a person of his caliber will need to ask a 17-year-old girl where to go buy weed," Alexis' aunt said.

~Snipped~

A lead investigator with the sheriff's office says he's confident they're building a solid case against Taylor. Some of those details should be revealed at the bond hearing next Thursday.

Read more:

http://www.nbc12.com/story/23149161/hearing-set-for-suspect-in-alexis-murphy-case

"There were a few developments in the case Thursday: the FBI has moved their operations out of Nelson County, authorities released details about the investigation and a court hearing has been scheduled.

Thursday, after two weeks of searching, investigators made the decision to move their efforts out of Nelson County. They're now basing their operations out of the FBI's Albemarle County office on Pantops. The FBI will not tell us why they pulled out of Nelson County."

http://www.nbc29.com/story/23150801/search-for-alexis-day-12-hearing-set-fbi-moves-headquarters

Alexis Murphy's aunt: This has to stop

By Richard Dool
updated 7:45 PM EDT, Thu August 15, 2013

•Alexis Murphy vanished Aug. 3, suspect arrested Sunday
•Randy Taylor has been arrested for abduction but there has been no sign of Alexis



Angela Taylor, the aunt of missing teen Alexis Murphy, spoke to Jane Velez-Mitchell saying the story that Randy Taylor gave is totally bogus. Angela Taylor says she knows Alexis better than anybody. She tells Jane “My niece would never have approached a man that looked like that.” She went on to say she “would never make a drug deal with anyone. That’s not the type of person she is.”

Alexis Murphy disappeared on the night of August 3rd, last seen on surveillance video from a gas station near her Virginia home. Randy Taylor, 48-years-old, was arrested for abduction but there has been no sign of the missing 17-year-old.

If you have any information please call the tipline 434-263-7050.

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/08/15/alexis-murphys-aunt-speaks-out

Alibi redux: Taylor points the finger again

By Courteney Stuart | stuart@readthehook.com
Published online 5:16pm Thursday Aug 15th, 2013

Ten months after he told the Hook he was the victim of an overzealous investigation into missing Orange County teen Samantha Clarke, Randy Allen Taylor seems to be planning a similar defense in the disappearance of 17-year-old Nelson County resident Alexis Murphy. But while authorities on the case are keeping mum, the former lead investigator in the Morgan Harrington case isn't buying the story.

"I don't believe in coincidences," says retired Virginia State Police Lt. Joe Rader, who was the public face of the Harrington investigation after the 20-year-old Virginia Tech student vanished in October 2009 and her remains were discovered on an Albemarle County farm three months later in January 2010.

Read more:

http://www.readthehook.com/110003/alibi-redux-taylor-points-finger-again-harrington-investigator-doubts-coincidences

Alexis Murphy's family awaits her return (Video)

Frankie Jupiter, fjupiter@wdbj7.com
POSTED: 08:50 PM EDT Aug 17, 2013  UPDATED: 08:50 PM EDT Aug 17, 2013

SHIPMAN,Va. - It's been two weeks since the disappearance of 17 -year -old Alexis Murphy. Her accused kidnapper is in custody, but Murphy is still nowhere to be found.

Saturday morning, Murphy was supposed to play in a volleyball tournament at her high school; instead the team had to move forward without their captain.

Pink hair bows and shoe strings ushered in a win for the Nelson County girl volleyball team this morning. But noticeably the team captain is missing.

“We know we got to stay strong. We put her jersey on the bench with us, so we’re still thinking about her, but the girls are looking forward to play,” said coach and cousin Jasmine Murphy.

Read more:

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/alexis-murphys-family-awaits-her-return/-/20128466/21512282/-/tt22if/-/index.html

New development in case of missing teen Alexis Murphy
Posted on: 5:38 pm, August 19, 2013, by Nick Dutton and Catie Beck, updated on: 11:33pm, August 19, 2013

Snipped:
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This weekend police pulled over a car that matched a description given by Randy Taylor, the man police arrested for abducting Murphy.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to CBS 6 News that a Be on the Lookout (BOLO) order was issued over the weekend for a maroon Chevy with large rims.

...

However, Louisa officials confirmed that deputies did pull over a car matching that description in the county over the weekend. Deputies took down the driver’s information and forwarded it to investigators in Nelson County. Those investigators confirm that they plan to talk to the driver.
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Read more:  http://wtvr.com/2013/08/19/maroon-car-pulled-over/

Taylor's encounters: Aquaintances recall abduction suspect as hearing looms
By Courteney Stuart | stuart@readthehook.com
Published online 6:44pm Tuesday Aug 20th, 2013

Snipped:
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As accused kidnapper Randy Allen Taylor sits in jail issuing protestations of innocence through his attorney, one former friend says the 48-year-old Lovingston resident has a history of getting into trouble— and then getting out of it.

"He's a very smart individual; he knows how to play the system," says the former friend, who spoke with the Hook on condition of anonymity, and who spent time with Taylor in the late '90s and early 2000s.

After hanging out with Taylor for six months, the former friend says, it seemed to him "there was something off with Randy. Everything was always someone else's fault."

...

According to Richmond television station CBS6, sometime between Friday, August 16, and Sunday, August 18, Louisa County Sheriff's Office issued a "Be on the Lookout" for a maroon Chevy with large rims like the one described by Taylor. The Sheriff's Office confirmed to the station that a vehicle matching that description was pulled over, but now say that was unrelated.
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(BBM)

Read more:  http://www.readthehook.com/110023/taylors-encounters-aquaintances-recall-abduction-suspect

Judge closes hearing for suspect in Alexis Murphy disappearance
Posted: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 6:49 am | Updated: 12:22 pm, Wed Aug 21, 2013.

Snipped:
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LOVINGSTON — A judge ruled Tuesday to bar media from access to the bond hearing for the man accused in the abduction of Nelson County teen Alexis Murphy.

...

The order states the court found good cause to close the hearing "on the bases that the circuit court has already ordered all search warrants sealed in this case and that this case is under continuing investigation by three law enforcement agencies."

Read more:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/judge-closes-hearing-for-suspect-in-alexis-murphy-disappearance/article_6227e732-0a4f-11e3-9307-0019bb30f31a.html

Judge denies bond for suspect in Alexis Murphy abduction

Posted: Aug 22, 2013 1:54 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 22, 2013 1:54 PM CDT

By Brent Solomon

NELSON, VA (WWBT) - A man accused of abducting a Nelson County teen will remain behind bars without bond.

Lawyers for Randy Taylor say he was wrongly accused in the disappearance of 17-year-old Alexis Murphy. However, a judge ruled he remain held without bond.

Taylor waived his preliminary hearing and the case will now go to a grand jury on September 26.

Prior to the hearing, a judge ruled the public and media could be allowed in the courtroom. The hearing had been closed due to privacy concerns involving the ongoing investigation at the request of prosecutors. Lawyers for NBC12 and other media organizations argued in court for the proceedings to remain public.

The judge allowed the hearing to remain open until sensitive materials in the case were introduced. As a result, no new information about the evidence in the case or leading up to Murphy's disappearance was made public.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/23231615/judge-denies-bond-for-suspect-in-alexis-murphy-abduction

Investigators Searching Piece of Land Connected to Alexis Murphy Disappearance

Posted: Aug 22, 2013 10:54 AM CDT

By Carleigh Griffeth



Nelson Co., VA – Officials in Nelson County are searching a piece of land in connection with the disappearance investigation of Alexis Murphy. The search started around 9 a.m. Thursday and could last into the evening.

They're at the same property investigators visited last week where they found tire tracks. Monday, officials took a casting of that track to compare to the tires on Taylor's truck. The land owner says that officials confirmed the track on his property did NOT match that of suspect Randy Taylor's truck.

But that doesn't mean the investigation here is over.

Investigators do not want us to release the exact location of the property and we are not revealing the property owner's name, but after seeing our coverage of Alexis Murphy's disappearance, the owner decided to take a look at his property just to see if there was anything out of place.

Read more:

http://www.abc27.com/story/23229870/investigators-searching-piece-of-land-connected-to-alexis-murphy-disappearance

K-9 teams search 3 locations in relation to Alexis Murphy Case
Posted: Aug 22, 2013 7:40 PM PST Updated: Aug 23, 2013 6:12 AM PST



Snipped:
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WSLS was there while K-9 teams searched the area along Cub Creek Road on the way to Crabtree Falls in Nelson County.

That's where we met, Rika, a 6-year-old search and rescue dog helping with the Alexis Murphy case.

For close to 6 hours, K-9's like Rika searched in 3 different locations for answers. They looked through wooded areas in the Cub Creek location and also near Davis Creek and suspect Randy Taylor's home.
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Read more:  http://www.wsls.com/story/23235355/k-9-teams-search-3-locations-in-relation-to-alexis-murphy-case

Car Show Supports Family of Alexis Murphy (Video)

Updated: Sun 10:53 PM, Aug 25, 2013

ROSELAND, Va. (AP) - A car show has raised $5,000 to support the family of a missing Nelson County teenager.

The News & Advance reports some of the Corvettes, Mustangs and hot-rod cars were adorned with pink bows and ribbons Saturday.

Street Elements Auto Club president Chad Turner says the car show at a field in Roseland was free to the public but donations were accepted.

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/news/headlines/Car-Show-Supports-Family-of-Missing-Va-Teen-221014431.html

RELATED ARTICLES:

http://www.wric.com/category/269894/complete-coverage-alexis-murphy

Investigators Comb Area of Nelson Searching for Alexis Murphy
Posted: Aug 31, 2013 5:14 PM PST Updated: Aug 31, 2013 5:22 PM PST

Snipped:
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Saturday, more than 50 search and rescue personnel from around the commonwealth scanned about 10 locations in Nelson County. Ground teams used dogs to sift through wooded areas along Route 29 near Lovingston while dive teams searched the Rockfish River - all looking for anything that could lead them to the missing 17-year-old.

"These areas are heavily wooded and vegetated areas with very steep grades and drop-offs and areas we just want to clear," Mays said.
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Read more:  http://www.nbc29.com/story/23309865/investigators-comb-area-of-nelson-searching-for-alexis-murphy

Alexis Murphy disappearance: Red sweater found in river
September 1, 2013 - 11:05 am

Snipped:
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Crews in the search for a missing Virginia teen discovered a red sweater caught beneath a rock in the Rockfish River Saturday, timesdispatch.com reports.

...

Surveillance video at a Lovingston Liberty gas station shows Murphy wearing a red sweater and leopard print pants. A worker says she saw Murphy talking with a man at the gas pump before she drove away.
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Read more:  http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/09/alexis-murphy-disappearance-red-sweater-found-in-river-93464.html

Alexis Murphy Update: Missing Va. teen's cell phone found, FBI says
September 3, 2013 3:44 PM

Snipped:
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(CBS/AP) LOVINGSTON, Va. - The FBI says investigators have recovered the cell phone of Alexis Murphy, a Virginia teenager who has been missing since early last month.

PICTURES: Man charged in Va. teen's disappearance was probed in another case

The federal agency said Tuesday that it has been able to positively identify one of the phones recovered as part of the investigation as belonging to the 17-year-old.

Officials did not provide any other details about when or where the phone was found.
-----

Read more:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57601152-504083/alexis-murphy-update-missing-va-teens-cell-phone-found-fbi-says/

@CuriousPortlander

The police found several cell phones during one of the searches of Randy Taylor's home/property, they didn't say where they found the cell phones, Alexis' cell phone (in my opinion) was among the cell phones the police retrieved from Taylor's property.

From newsadvance.com:

Murphy said Tuesday the FBI took several phones to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, though investigators have not revealed to the family where Alexis’ phone was found.

“They’re being specifically tight-lipped about that,” she said.

Murphy hopes her niece’s phone will serve as a tremendous tool in helping investigators find the missing teenager.

“Obviously, this is huge,” she said. “It’s a big piece of the puzzle.”

Read more here:

http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_850a1cd4-14ae-11e3-8f0c-0019bb30f31a.html

Alessandra_Deux wrote:@CuriosPortlander

The police found several cell phones during one of the searches of Randy Taylor's home/property, they didn't say where they found the cell phones, Alexis' cell phone (in my opinion) was among the cell phones the police retrieved from Taylor's property.

From newsadvance.com:

Murphy said Tuesday the FBI took several phones to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, though investigators have not revealed to the family where Alexis’ phone was found.

“They’re being specifically tight-lipped about that,” she said.

Murphy hopes her niece’s phone will serve as a tremendous tool in helping investigators find the missing teenager.

“Obviously, this is huge,” she said. “It’s a big piece of the puzzle.”

Read more here:

http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_850a1cd4-14ae-11e3-8f0c-0019bb30f31a.html

I'll bet you're right!  Not looking good for Taylor!

For family of Alexis Murphy, hope amid the silence

Posted: Friday, August 30, 2013 11:09 pm | Updated: 10:46 am, Wed Sep 4, 2013.

Barrett Mohrmann

Nearly a month has passed since 17-year-old Alexis Murphy was reported missing, but for Alexis’ mother, Laura, every day bears Aug. 4’s date.

“I’m still stuck on Sunday,” she said. “That’s the day my mom called me and said Alexis didn’t come home.”

~Snipped~

A month later, Laura Murphy waits to hear her daughter’s voice. She believes Alexis will one day travel down the gravel road to her Shipman home.

“In my heart, I still think she’s alive.”

Read more:

http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_c548822a-11ea-11e3-a677-001a4bcf6878.html

Lead Investigator in Alexis Murphy Case Speaks(Video)

Sept. 4, 2013

The lead investigator in the Alexis Murphy case is speaking for the first time.

Tuesday marked one month since her disappearance and there's still no sign of her.

~Snipped~

Mays says the Nelson County Sheriff's Office has received hundreds of tips, both from the area and from across the country. He says some tips have been very helpful, others a complete waste of time, but the search for Alexis is still very much alive.

~Snipped~

On Tuesday, the FBI announced the missing cell phone of Alexis had been recovered, but no details about where it was found are being released. Also, a red sweater pulled out of the Rockfish River, where crews searched this past weekend, did not belong to Alexis

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/news/headlines/222411731.html