September 24, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode of Hunting 4 Answers: In August 2013, 17-year-old Alexis Murphy disappeared after a brief stop at a gas station in Lovingston, Virginia. Bright, outgoing, and full of life, she never returned home. Her father’s car was discovered abandoned days later, but Alexis herself was nowhere to be found—leaving a community stunned and her family desperate for answers. Seven years of uncertainty followed. Then, strands of hair, a diamond earring, and DNA evidence pointed investigators to a suspect, leading to one of three rare murder convictions in Virginia secured without a body.
This is the story of Alexis Murphy.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hunting for Answers is a production of The Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host Hunter, and today we're
highlighting a case that began back in August twenty thirteen,
when a seventeen year old high school senior from Nelson County, Virginia,
(00:22):
vanished after a quick trip at a gas station right
outgoing with nearly twelve thousand Twitter followers, she was known
for her style, her laughter, and her energy. She had
dreams like any other teenager, but she would never get
a chance to see them through. Her family waited seven
(00:44):
long years to finally learn the truth. This is the
story of Alexis Murphy. Alexis Tiara Murphy lived in Shipman,
a small town in rural Nelson County. She was a daughter,
(01:05):
a sister, and a friend who lit up every room
she walked into. Her family remembers her as the fashionista, athlete,
and jokester of their home. Her bright personality carried over
to social media. On Twitter, nearly twelve thousand people kept
up with her daily life. In the late summer of
(01:27):
twenty thirteen, she was preparing for senior portraits, a milestone
she was excited for and one her family looked forward
to celebrating with her. Saturday, August third, twenty thirteen. That morning,
Alexis drove her father's white two thousand and three Nissan
(01:47):
Maxima and headed to Lynchburg, Virginia, about thirty miles to
get her hair done. Before leaving, she tweeted two simple
words bergbound. At just seventeen. It was a normal update
for her followers, but in hindsight, it became her last
message to the world. She had an eleven o'clock PM curfew,
(02:13):
and her family would later say she never missed it.
Her last confirmed sighting was at Liberty gas Station in Lovingston, Virginia.
Surveillance video captured Alexis inside the store and showed a
man named Randy Allen Taylor arriving shortly afterward. Video evidence
(02:35):
presented at trial included what prosecutors described as Taylor holding
the door open for Alexis as she entered in.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
A cashier later testified she saw Alexis.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And Taylor talking to one another in the gas station's
parking lot. The footage does not show them leaving together.
It places them at the gas station at the same time.
When eleven o'clock PM came and went with no call,
no text, no Alexis, alarm bell started to ring and
(03:11):
her family began to panic. The next day, they reported
her missing, and soon Nelson County law enforcement, joined by
the FBI, state police, and volunteers, launched their search. Three
days later, on August six, twenty thirteen, her father's white
(03:33):
Nissan Maxima was found abandoned in Charlottesville, Virginia, about forty
five minutes from their home.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Inside, investigators noted.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Her personal items were still there, but Alexis wasn't. As
the search intensified, one man stood out, Randy Taylor. Police
learned Taylor lived in a camp or not far from
the gas station. He had a criminal history and a
reputation in town, and the surveillance video placed him at
(04:09):
the same location at the same time as Alexis. On
August eleventh, twenty thirteen, just over a week after Alexis vanished,
Taylor was arrested on abduction charges. Inside his camper, investigators
uncovered damning evidence, strands of Alexis hare, her artificial fingernails,
(04:35):
and a diamond stud earring matched as hers. The FBI
ran DNA tests, which confirmed the evidence belonged to Alexis Murphy.
That wasn't all. A search revealed even more Under Taylor's sofa,
(04:55):
Investigators found a hair extension, a false eyelash, and a
blue T shirt the same type he was seen wearing
on surveillance, which tested positive for blood. The evidence told
a story Taylor insisted wasn't true. When confronted, he offered
(05:16):
shifting accounts. At one point, he claimed Alexis had been
at his camper but left with two men he identified
only by vague descriptions. Investigators found no trace of these
mysterious men.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Prosecutors argued during.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
The trial that the timeline, surveillance, video, DNA evidence, and
items found in his camper all pointed to the same conclusion.
Alexis Murphy never left Randy Taylor's home alive. On May eighth,
twenty fourteen, the jury returned its verdict. Taylor was convicted
(05:59):
of first degree murder and abduction with intent to defile
and sentenced to two life terms. It was only the
third time in Virginia history a murder conviction had been
secured without a body in the courtroom. Supporters were pink
(06:20):
and red Alexis's favorite colors. Her family sat quietly as
the verdict was read, finally receiving justice, though unfortunately not
full closure. For years, the question remained where was Alexis?
(06:42):
Then in December twenty twenty, human remains were discovered on
private property along Route twenty nine and Lovingston, just five
miles from the gas station. Authorities never confirmed publicly whether
Taylor led them there mattered. Most was what came next.
(07:05):
On February fifth, twenty twenty one, the Virginia Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed with the Murphy family had
waited seven years to hear the remains were Alexis Murphy.
Her killer had hidden her so close to where she
was last seen after so much time, the family could
(07:29):
finally bring her home. The story doesn't end there. Investigators
have since looked at Taylor in connection to other cases,
including the disappearance of nineteen year old Samantha Clark, who
vanished from Orange, Virginia in twenty ten. Both cases occurred
(07:50):
along Route twenty nine, a stretch of highway between Charlottesville
and Lynchburg long shadowed by disappearances and violence. Media and
local discussions have sometimes referred to it as the Route
twenty nine Corridor of Fear, a name that reflects the
grim pattern of young women going missing or turning up
(08:14):
dead along this road over the years. Alexis Murphy's story
is one of a bright young life taken too soon.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
A teenager who should have been.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Looking for it to college dances, senior year milestones, in
all of the dreams.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Of her future.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Instead, her story serves as a somber reminder of the
dangers that can hide in plain sight and a rare
example of justice achieved even without a body in Virginia's history.
Her family, while forever grieving, finally had the opportunity to
lay her to rest and to honor her memory. Today,
(09:00):
Randy Allen Taylor remains behind bars serving two life sentences.
Alexis Murphy's memory lives on not only in the hearts
of her family, but in a community that refused to
stop searching, advocating, and raising awareness for her. Her family
(09:23):
has spoken publicly about their gratitude, especially.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
To law enforcement.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Her mother, Laura Murphy said, you all kept the promise
made in twenty thirteen to bring Alexis home. Her aunt
Angela Murphy added their promise from that very day was
that they will do whatever it takes to bring Alexis home,
and that promise came true. Their words reflected the impact
(09:53):
of dedicated law enforcement and a community that refused to
let her disappearance be forgotten. On August third, twenty twenty three,
the community gathered to honor the life of Alexis Murphy
on the ten year anniversary of her disappearance at the
(10:14):
very location where she was last seen. Family, friends, and
supporters came together to remember her. Her mother expressed a
mix of emotions during the vigil. I'm feeling sad and
happy at the same time, she said, sad because we
don't have her, but happy that ten years that we
(10:37):
have all these people to still come out and remember her.
She described the discovery of Alexis's remains as bittersweet, acknowledging
the relief.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
It brought while still grappling with their loss.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Honoring Alexis Murphy's life reminds us why it's important to
stay aware, speak up, and support efforts to keep our
community safe. As we close out this episode, remember that
sharing Alexis's story helps to spread awareness and could help
prevent similar tragedies from taking place. Don't forget to click
(11:17):
the follow button to stay updated on this case and
others like it. Be sure to subscribe to Hunting for
Answers on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok
from more true crime content and case updates. Also, if
you're watching us on YouTube, drop your thoughts on this
case and the comments below.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Thank you so much for joining us on another.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Episode until next time. Hunting for Answers is a production
(12:03):
of the Black Effect Podcast Network. For more podcasts from
the Black Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Hunting for Answers is a production of The Black Effect
Podcast Network and iHeartRadio. Welcome to Hunting for Answers, a
true crime podcast. I'm your host Hunter, and today we're
highlighting a case that began back in August twenty thirteen,
when a seventeen year old high school senior from Nelson County, Virginia,
(00:22):
vanished after a quick trip at a gas station right
outgoing with nearly twelve thousand Twitter followers, she was known
for her style, her laughter, and her energy. She had
dreams like any other teenager, but she would never get
a chance to see them through. Her family waited seven
(00:44):
long years to finally learn the truth. This is the
story of Alexis Murphy. Alexis Tiara Murphy lived in Shipman,
a small town in rural Nelson County. She was a daughter,
(01:05):
a sister, and a friend who lit up every room
she walked into. Her family remembers her as the fashionista, athlete,
and jokester of their home. Her bright personality carried over
to social media. On Twitter, nearly twelve thousand people kept
up with her daily life. In the late summer of
(01:27):
twenty thirteen, she was preparing for senior portraits, a milestone
she was excited for and one her family looked forward
to celebrating with her. Saturday, August third, twenty thirteen. That morning,
Alexis drove her father's white two thousand and three Nissan
(01:47):
Maxima and headed to Lynchburg, Virginia, about thirty miles to
get her hair done. Before leaving, she tweeted two simple
words bergbound. At just seventeen. It was a normal update
for her followers, but in hindsight, it became her last
message to the world. She had an eleven o'clock PM curfew,
(02:13):
and her family would later say she never missed it.
Her last confirmed sighting was at Liberty gas Station in Lovingston, Virginia.
Surveillance video captured Alexis inside the store and showed a
man named Randy Allen Taylor arriving shortly afterward. Video evidence
(02:35):
presented at trial included what prosecutors described as Taylor holding
the door open for Alexis as she entered in.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
A cashier later testified she saw Alexis.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And Taylor talking to one another in the gas station's
parking lot. The footage does not show them leaving together.
It places them at the gas station at the same time.
When eleven o'clock PM came and went with no call,
no text, no Alexis, alarm bell started to ring and
(03:11):
her family began to panic. The next day, they reported
her missing, and soon Nelson County law enforcement, joined by
the FBI, state police, and volunteers, launched their search. Three
days later, on August six, twenty thirteen, her father's white
(03:33):
Nissan Maxima was found abandoned in Charlottesville, Virginia, about forty
five minutes from their home.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Inside, investigators noted.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Her personal items were still there, but Alexis wasn't. As
the search intensified, one man stood out, Randy Taylor. Police
learned Taylor lived in a camp or not far from
the gas station. He had a criminal history and a
reputation in town, and the surveillance video placed him at
(04:09):
the same location at the same time as Alexis. On
August eleventh, twenty thirteen, just over a week after Alexis vanished,
Taylor was arrested on abduction charges. Inside his camper, investigators
uncovered damning evidence, strands of Alexis hare, her artificial fingernails,
(04:35):
and a diamond stud earring matched as hers. The FBI
ran DNA tests, which confirmed the evidence belonged to Alexis Murphy.
That wasn't all. A search revealed even more Under Taylor's sofa,
(04:55):
Investigators found a hair extension, a false eyelash, and a
blue T shirt the same type he was seen wearing
on surveillance, which tested positive for blood. The evidence told
a story Taylor insisted wasn't true. When confronted, he offered
(05:16):
shifting accounts. At one point, he claimed Alexis had been
at his camper but left with two men he identified
only by vague descriptions. Investigators found no trace of these
mysterious men.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Prosecutors argued during.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
The trial that the timeline, surveillance, video, DNA evidence, and
items found in his camper all pointed to the same conclusion.
Alexis Murphy never left Randy Taylor's home alive. On May eighth,
twenty fourteen, the jury returned its verdict. Taylor was convicted
(05:59):
of first degree murder and abduction with intent to defile
and sentenced to two life terms. It was only the
third time in Virginia history a murder conviction had been
secured without a body in the courtroom. Supporters were pink
(06:20):
and red Alexis's favorite colors. Her family sat quietly as
the verdict was read, finally receiving justice, though unfortunately not
full closure. For years, the question remained where was Alexis?
(06:42):
Then in December twenty twenty, human remains were discovered on
private property along Route twenty nine and Lovingston, just five
miles from the gas station. Authorities never confirmed publicly whether
Taylor led them there mattered. Most was what came next.
(07:05):
On February fifth, twenty twenty one, the Virginia Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed with the Murphy family had
waited seven years to hear the remains were Alexis Murphy.
Her killer had hidden her so close to where she
was last seen after so much time, the family could
(07:29):
finally bring her home. The story doesn't end there. Investigators
have since looked at Taylor in connection to other cases,
including the disappearance of nineteen year old Samantha Clark, who
vanished from Orange, Virginia in twenty ten. Both cases occurred
(07:50):
along Route twenty nine, a stretch of highway between Charlottesville
and Lynchburg long shadowed by disappearances and violence. Media and
local discussions have sometimes referred to it as the Route
twenty nine Corridor of Fear, a name that reflects the
grim pattern of young women going missing or turning up
(08:14):
dead along this road over the years. Alexis Murphy's story
is one of a bright young life taken too soon.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
A teenager who should have been.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Looking for it to college dances, senior year milestones, in
all of the dreams.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Of her future.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Instead, her story serves as a somber reminder of the
dangers that can hide in plain sight and a rare
example of justice achieved even without a body in Virginia's history.
Her family, while forever grieving, finally had the opportunity to
lay her to rest and to honor her memory. Today,
(09:00):
Randy Allen Taylor remains behind bars serving two life sentences.
Alexis Murphy's memory lives on not only in the hearts
of her family, but in a community that refused to
stop searching, advocating, and raising awareness for her. Her family
(09:23):
has spoken publicly about their gratitude, especially.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
To law enforcement.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Her mother, Laura Murphy said, you all kept the promise
made in twenty thirteen to bring Alexis home. Her aunt
Angela Murphy added their promise from that very day was
that they will do whatever it takes to bring Alexis home,
and that promise came true. Their words reflected the impact
(09:53):
of dedicated law enforcement and a community that refused to
let her disappearance be forgotten. On August third, twenty twenty three,
the community gathered to honor the life of Alexis Murphy
on the ten year anniversary of her disappearance at the
(10:14):
very location where she was last seen. Family, friends, and
supporters came together to remember her. Her mother expressed a
mix of emotions during the vigil. I'm feeling sad and
happy at the same time, she said, sad because we
don't have her, but happy that ten years that we
(10:37):
have all these people to still come out and remember her.
She described the discovery of Alexis's remains as bittersweet, acknowledging
the relief.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
It brought while still grappling with their loss.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Honoring Alexis Murphy's life reminds us why it's important to
stay aware, speak up, and support efforts to keep our
community safe. As we close out this episode, remember that
sharing Alexis's story helps to spread awareness and could help
prevent similar tragedies from taking place. Don't forget to click
(11:17):
the follow button to stay updated on this case and
others like it. Be sure to subscribe to Hunting for
Answers on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok
from more true crime content and case updates. Also, if
you're watching us on YouTube, drop your thoughts on this
case and the comments below.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Thank you so much for joining us on another.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Episode until next time. Hunting for Answers is a production
(12:03):
of the Black Effect Podcast Network. For more podcasts from
the Black Effect Podcast Network, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Host
Hunter Gilmore
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