HEADLAND, Ala. — Officials say that a pregnant Florida woman who was 19 years old and went missing has been found dead in Alabama.
WEAR-TV says that Anastasia Gilley’s body was found near Headland, Alabama, on Wednesday morning, a week after her family said she was missing.
Gilley, who was four months pregnant, was last seen on May 3 at her home in Jackson County.
Shortly after her body was found, Marquis Devan McCloud, 33, was caught and charged with first-degree kidnapping and capital murder.
He had been arrested earlier in the week because going to Florida was against the terms of his release.
“Through our research, we found out that they knew each other and had talked, which is why we talked to the suspect in the first place. “How close they are, though, is hard to say at this point,” said Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield.
The Tallahassee Democrat says that McCloud has not helped with the probe at all.
In the news release, JCSO said, “As this tragedy continues to unfold, Sheriff Edenfield and Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza offer their deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”
Gilley’s family talked to WCTV about how sad it was that her body was found.
“She was the kindest, nicest, and best little girl I’ve ever met. She only wanted to be a mom. Gilley’s grandma, Sandra Steele, said, “I want everyone to remember her bright smile and her beautiful, beautiful blue eyes.”
An examination is on the way.
Mary Taylor, who used to be Gilley’s formal guardian, told reporters before her body was found that neighbors remembered hearing a “shrill scream” the night she went missing.
“Please let us know if you’ve seen her. Help her get home. James Delaney, Gilley’s stepfather, begged, “If you have her, let her go.” “We don’t know what’s going on, but she didn’t leave.”
