The Nelson County Sheriff's Office reports the remains of Alexis Tiara Murphy have finally been located. The teen, who was only 17 at the time of her abduction and murder, will be buried on Friday in a private serivce.

Investigators in Virginia on a local, state and federal level have been working on Alexis' case for seven years. Authorities say Alexis' body was located on a private property in Nelson County, VA on December 3, 2020 but they waited a considerable amount of time to release the information to the public.

The Nelson County Sheriff's Office in a recent press release posted on their Facebook page, "With careful consideration for Alexis' family being paramount, notification to the community was delayed to allow them time to grieve and make proper arrangements."

Alexis was positively identified on February 5, 2021. On the Help Find Alexis Murphy Facebook page, a post on February 18 reads:

"There are approximately 3,679,200 minutes in 7 years. Alexis has been missed in each of them. We have spent them grieving the unknown and her presence while simultaneously trying to continue to find joy in life. While in many ways we are just truly beginning to start the grieving process, we also realize this means we can begin celebrating who Alexis was and the incredible impact she had on each of us in life and in death."

Investigators say Alexis vanished on August 3, 2013 from a gas station in Lovingston, VA. According to published reports, in May 2014, Randy Allen Taylor was convicted of abducting and killing Alexis. He's currently behind bars after being sentenced to two life terms.

The News and Advocate reports Alexis' DNA, including a fingernail fragment, black hair, bloody t-shirt and a diamond stud were all found in Taylor's camper. Her broken cell phone was located in the bushes outside the camper, the report adds.

Nelson County Sheriff's add, "Law enforcement did not work this investigation alone. We would like to thank Alexis' family, friends, classmates, teammates and the community for their continued assistance and patience as we worked to find Alexis."

Alexis' family also released this statement about their loved one:

“Our family is so grateful for the continuing love, support and prayers for Alexis and our family over the past 7 years. While we have been grieving the loss of Alexis since 2013, we remained hopeful that she would be found alive and well. Alexis was the fashionista, athlete and joker of our family; we were blessed to have loved her for 17 years and her memory will continue to live on through us all. Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to the citizens of Nelson County, the FBI, the Virginia State Police, the Nelson County Sheriff's Office and all of the search and rescue teams for your commitment and unwavering support to find Alexis. You all kept the promise made in 2013, to bring Alexis home!"

The family adds during this difficult time for everyone to lift their family up in prayer, "and in the words of Alexis, ‘Keep Hope Alive’.”

Read more:

Remains of Alexis Murphy, missing since 2013, found in Virginia

Suspect indicted in Alexis Murphy disappearance

Alexis Murphy case: Randy Taylor's appeal denied