Police investigators formally announced they have concluded the investigation into the disappearance and death of Oakley resident Alexis Gabe after her remains were found in Amador County.
Amador County sheriff’s deputies contacted Oakley police Thursday after a resident in the town of Plymouth discovered possible human remains while using a metal detector.
The remains, located along state Highway 16 near Plymouth, were confirmed to be Gabe’s via her most recent dental records. Additional remains were not found after police searched a half-mile radius around the original site, Oakley police detective Tyler Horn said Monday.
Investigators also found remnants of garbage bags, duct tape and earrings that were confirmed to belong to Gabe based on photos of her wearing them prior to her death, Horn said.
“The condition of the remains did not lead us to a specific manner of death, but we are confident her remains were separated from one another and scattered into several areas,” Horn said Monday during a briefing with law enforcement officials and members of Gabe’s family.
Gabe, 24, was first reported missing in January and was last seen at the Antioch home of her ex-boyfriend, 27-year-old Marshall Curtis Jones III.
One day after she disappeared on Jan. 26, Gabe’s family found her car abandoned and unlocked with the keys inside.
Investigators viewed Jones as the prime suspect in Gabe’s disappearance. Oakley and Antioch police eventually obtained a warrant from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for his arrest on a suspected murder charge in late May.
On June 1, officers with the Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force, which includes 27 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, attempted to arrest Jones at a house in Kent, Washington, where he was believed to be hiding.
Jones allegedly charged at officers with a knife. Task force officers subsequently shot and killed him.
Police investigators had searched the area where Gabe’s remains were found in previous months after finding a note written by Jones with handwritten directions to an area near Pioneer, California, which sits roughly 25 miles east of Plymouth in Amador County.
“This team of investigators essentially turned several areas of Pioneer literally upside down,” Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard said. “We dug several areas and we even drained a large pond in a search for Alexis. The investigators have periodically returned to areas of Amador County to follow up on leads and areas of interest in the last few months.”
According to Antioch Police Detective John Cox, law enforcement investigators and those with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office “determined there is not enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed by any other person but” Marshall Jones.
Investigators also believe based on available and circumstantial evidence that Alexis Gabe did not leave Marshall Jones’ house alive and that she was allegedly killed in Antioch.
Gwyn Gabe, Alexis Gabe’s father, said the confirmation of her death was “devastating” for her entire family, but also brought relief that she can be laid to rest.
“Deep inside we were still holding on to hope that she’s okay and that she’s just out there somewhere, waiting to be rescued and reunited with us,” Gwyn Gabe said. “There are still so many questions unanswered. I’m not sure if there will ever be closure for our family.”
The city of Oakley will hold a candlelight vigil on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. to honor Alexis Gabe at the city’s Civic Center Plaza.
“We pray that our daughter can be at peace knowing her family and community gave their all to find her,” Gwyn Gabe said.
