Investigators discovered the body of a 19-year-old pregnant woman who went missing from her Jackson County home a week ago ― and arrested a man in connection with her killing.
Anastasia Gilley, who grew up in Tallahassee but had been living in the Marianna area, had last been seen at her home on May 3, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The disappearance of Gilley, who was four months pregnant, touched off “around the clock” efforts to find her by JCSO and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in South Alabama.
“The investigation quickly led to the arrest of an Alabama man, who has been in custody since earlier this week,” JCSO said in a news release. “The suspect has been uncooperative throughout this entire investigation.”
Marquis Devan McCloud, 33, was arrested on a charge of capital murder during a first-degree kidnapping, authorities said. More charges are pending.
Following leads from interviews and other “investigative techniques,” law enforcement searched various locations in Jackson and Houston counties. Early Wednesday, investigators found a deceased victim near Headland, Alabama, a small town outside Dothan, Alabama.
“Investigators believe this to be the body of Anastasia Gilley, pending an autopsy,” JCSO said in the news release.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the “large, multi-state investigation” into Gilley’s killing is ongoing but noted that the suspect was no longer “a threat to the public.” JCSO said more details will be shared as the investigation continues.
Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield thanked everyone who assisted and continues to help in the investigation.
“As this tragedy continues to unfold, Sheriff Edenfield and Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim,” JCSO said in the news release.
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com and follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.