Alexis Murphy, A Light Gone Too Early: Part 1-Route 29 Series

On August 3, 2013, 17-year-old Alexis Murphy vanished after stopping at a gas station in Nelson County, VA. Known for her bright personality, ambition, and social media presence, Alexis' sudden disappearance left her family and community reeling. 

In this first episode of our Route 29 Series, we walk through the early hours of Alexis' case-- from frantic search efforts to the shocking surveillance footage that led investigators to a man named Randy Taylor. Despite his shifting stories and attempts to manipulate the investigation, mounting physical evidence would ultimately expose the horrifying truth. 

But even after Taylor's conviction, one chilling question lingered for years: WHERE WAS ALEXIS? 

Join me as we break down the timeline, the evidence, and the unanswered questions--including possible connections to other cases along Route 29 in Virginia. Was this an isolated tragedy, or part of something bigger? 

 

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Alexis_Murphy

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/alexis-murphy-body-slain-teen-found-7-years-after-disappearance-6-years-after-killer-convicted/UTMOWX6BBBA45GOBGUO27V4PZ4/

https://www.oxygen.com/final-moments/crime-news/randy-taylor-killed-high-school-student-alexis-murphy

https://wset.com/news/local/where-alexis-murphy-aunt-found-closure-forgiveness-randy-taylor-murder-nelson-county-disappearance-remains-anniversary-gas-station-dna-angela-family-hope-august-2023

Route 29 Stalker Podcast march 14 2021 

Going West True Crime Ep. 134 

The Murder Diaries Feb 25 2021 

Alexis Murphy and Samantha Clarke Mind Over Murder Feb 24, 2020 

Mountain Murders 5-1-22 

Seasoned Crime 12-14-21

The Missing 6-22-20

Truly Criminal 1-13-24

https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/16/us/virginia-alexis-murphy-disappearance/index.html

https://wset.com/news/local/10-years-after-alexis-murphy-murder-investigator-provides-new-insight-into-case-randy-taylor-billy-mays-fbi-gas-station-trailer-remains-dna-search-family-aunt-victim-true-crime-nelson-county-virginia-august-2023

https://wset.com/news/local/10-years-after-alexis-murphy-murder-investigator-provides-new-insight-into-case-randy-taylor-billy-mays-fbi-gas-station-trailer-remains-dna-search-family-aunt-victim-true-crime-nelson-county-virginia-august-2023

Wikipedia

K. L. (2013, August 6). 17-year old Nelson Girl Missing for Two Days. The News and Advance.

Hardy, S. (2013, August 7). Car found but no Sign of missing Nelson teen. The News and Advance.

Hardy, S. (2013, August 7). Teen's Car Located. The Daily Progress.

Bayne, L. (2013, August 8). Search continues for missing Shipman teen. The Roanoke Times.

Bayne, L. (2013, August 8). Search for #Alexis via internet. The Daily Progress.

Hardy, S. (2013, August 8). Search continues for missing Nelson teen. The News-Virginian.

"Family's Agonizing Wait Drags on." The News and Advance, 8 Aug. 2013.

Hardy, S. (2013, August 9). "We all want her to come back". The News and Advance.

Bayne, L. (2013, August 9). Search for teen reaches fifth day. The Roanoke Times.

Bayne, L. (2013, August 9). Clock is Ticking. The Daily Progress.

Mohrmann, B. (2013, August 10). Search for missing girl continues for sixth day. The News and Advance.

Hardy, S. (2013, August 10). Candlelight vigil held for missing Nelson County teen. The Progress-Index.

Koerting, K., & Hardy, S. (2013, August 11). Nelson rallies in search for missing teen. The Daily Progress.

"Suspected Arrested in Teen's Vanishing." The Roanoke TImes, 12 Aug. 2013.

Faulconer, J., Busse, M., & Cropper, N. (2021, February 18). Alexis Murphy's remai