The body of Gabriella Watkins, a 19-year-old who went missing in early December, has been located, Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
As previously reported, Watkins had been missing since December 6. She was found Tuesday, January 28, amid an “extensive search” of an Essex County property that involved six local and state agencies, WCSO reported.
A search warrant had been obtained for a large tract of land adjacent to Church Hill Road and Desha Road, WCSO revealed. Authorities began the operation about 8 a.m. and a body was located at approximately 11:50 a.m.
It was announced that the body was being transported to the chief medical examiner’s office. WCSO later stated that Watkins had been positively identified using comparative DNA analysis.
After the discovery of Watkins’ body on Tuesday, WCSO announced the arrest of Abraham Medina, a 20-year-old of Oak Grove. He was taken into custody without incident in the 2900 block of Kings Highway in Westmoreland County. He is charged with one count of transport, secrete, conceal or alter a dead body. He has been denied bond.
WCSO said the investigation is still underway and additional charges are pending.
Agencies that assisted in the search for Watkins included Westmoreland and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices, Tappahannock Police Department, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)/ K-9 Alert and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
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