NELSON COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The mother of Alexis Murphy said she was relieved investigators found her missing daughter's cell phone. Laura Murphy told CBS 6 reporter Tracy Sears that Alexis, 17, kept the phone with her all day and night.
The phone, recovered during the investigation into Murphy's disappearance, was positively identified as belonging to Murphy, the FBI released Tuesday.
"Since this is an on-going sensitive investigation, where evidentiary items and search information is sealed; no further discussion will be entertained," the FBI said in a statement. "This sole release of information is only being made to advise the public that we no longer need assistance looking for that one item."
Murphy disappeared on August 3.
"In order to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure that Mr. Randy Allen Taylor gets a fair trial in Nelson County, Virginia, absolutely no further information will be released about this investigation," the FBI statement continued.
Taylor, arrested last month, is charged with abduction.
Laura Murphy told Sears she felt Alexis was still alive and said she wished Taylor would tell investigators all that he knew about her daughter's disappearence
On Saturday, search crews were looking in and around the Rockfish River off Route 29 for clues. Charlottesville-area media reported crews found an item of clothing during that search. Investigators would not confirm why they were at that location and what may have been found.
Laura Murphy says she is sustained by the community, police, and volunteer search crews who continue to look for her daughter.
This is a developing story.
