Dormitory Disturbance: Alexis Crawford

In this episode of Hunting 4 Answers: Just days after reporting a disturbing assault involving her roommate’s boyfriend, 21-year-old Clark Atlanta University student Alexis Crawford vanished. What followed was a harrowing discovery that would shatter her family, ignite outrage across campus, and leave an entire city asking: how could this happen? 

This is the story of Alexis Crawford. 

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Episode Transcript

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
discussing a case that left a university campus shaken and
a family broken forever. It began with a seemingly normal

(00:21):
FaceTime call between a daughter and her mother, but beneath
the surface, something far darker was brewing. This is the
story of Alexis Crawford. Alexis was a vibrant soul with
dreams as expansive as her heart. At twenty one, Alexis

(00:42):
was a senior at Clarke Atlanta University, diligently pursuing a
double major in sociology and criminal justice. Her ambition was
clear to make a meaningful impact in the world, guided
by a strong sense of justice and Compassiontober thirtieth, twenty nineteen,

(01:02):
the day Alexis last spoke with her mother on a
FaceTime claw that was just like any other. She looked
happy and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But just
stays earlier, a disturbing chain of events had already begun
to unfold. On October twenty sixth an incident occurred between

(01:24):
Alexis and her roommate, twenty one year old Jordan Jones.
The details are vague, but whatever happened drove a wedge
between them. It was serious enough that Alexis no longer
felt safe sleeping in her bedroom. She started sleeping in
the living room instead. Then came October twenty seventh. That night,

(01:47):
Alexis reported to police that Jordan's boyfriend, twenty one year
old Baron Brantley, made unwanted sexual advances towards her. She
said all three of them were drinking when he kissed
her neck and rubbed her shoulder. Later, she was found
passed out alone in the bathroom, and she didn't remember
what happened. Investigators recovered cut underwear from the scene. Greatly

(02:11):
denied sexually assaulting her, insisting he only mistook Alexis for
his own girlfriend. His explanation made little sense, but for
Alexis it didn't matter. The damage was done. Her world
was unraveling and fast. On October thirtieth, Alexis vanished. She

(02:32):
didn't show up for class, she didn't answer texts, and
on November first, her family reported her missing. The university
community joined the search flyers were posted, vigils were held,
but deep down, Alexis's mother, Monica Wright, feared the worst.

(02:53):
Alexis wasn't the type to disappear without a word. Then
came a chilling confession. Whether it was Jones or Brantley
who broke first is unclear, but one of them led
investigators to a remote park into Cab County. On November eighth,
police recovered Alexis Crawford's body inside a plastic bin. She

(03:15):
had been strangled and smothered. The final cause of death asphyxiation.
The betrayal cut deep because Alexis and Jordan had been
friends since their freshman year at Clark Atlanta. Alexis had
unknowingly been living with her killer this whole time. Brantley

(03:37):
and Jones were arrested and charged with malice murder. According
to court documents, Brantley strangled Alexis during a fight between
her and Jones. Then Jones allegedly helped place a bag
over her head. Together, they stuffed her body into a
container and dumped her remains in exchange park. Indicator Georgia

(04:00):
at least passed included charges of battery, cruelty to children,
and probation violations. He was no stranger to violence, but
now his crimes had escalated to murder. Alexis's murder struck
a chord. She was vibrant, motivated, and focused on her future.

(04:23):
Her death sparked outrage. Students called for better protections. People
questioned how someone could be victimized, speak up and still
end up dead. Today, Brantley and Jones both remained behind bars.
In twenty twenty five, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that
Grantly's jail house phone calls could be used as evidence,

(04:46):
a move that may seal his fate. The decision came
after the Fulton County Superior Court ruled the recordings couldn't
be used. As of now, the duo await their day
in court. My thoughts and prayers are with Alexis Crawford's family,
friends in the entire campus community who loved her. She

(05:08):
was a sister, a daughter, and a friend, and her
life was stolen by those who should have had her back.
As we close out this episode, don't forget to hit
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(05:30):
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for joining us on another episode until next time. Hunting

(05:53):
for Answers is a production of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
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