Alexis Scott case now treated as 'death investigation' in Peoria
Peoria police Chief Brad Dixon said Tuesday the search for a Peoria
woman missing for nine years is now considered a "death investigation," although hope still remains she will be found alive.
During a news conference at the Peoria Police Department headquarters alongside the mother of Alexis Scott – April Allen-Scott – and local advocate Dusti Moultrie, Dixon said that the focus of the nearly nine-year-long search has shifted.
"We have to find her to determine, manner and cause of death, but I think almost certainly, we're looking at a death investigation," Dixon said. "I don't want to go too much into the investigative case that we have. We certainly have some leads and some avenues that we're looking at. But, I'll just say we are looking at this as a death investigation."
The police chief said that there was no evidence to show that Scott was still alive since Sept. 23, 2017, the day she disappeared after being last seen at a party in the 100 block of West Richmond Street. He did note, however, that the investigation is still active and leads are still being followed up on.
"We meet regularly with the family," Dixon said. "We meet regularly with the detectives that are assigned to this. We still have tips coming in. We still investigate every single aspect of this case and we still haven't found her."
The investigation – and the family's relationship with the Peoria Police Department – has been a rocky one, with family and friends having criticized police for not interviewing everyone at the home at the time of the party and for not getting the FBI involved in the investigation.
Efforts to search areas such as Banner Marsh and Copperas Creek along U.S. Route 24 proved to be fruitless, along with a search
earlier this year in East Peoria that saw a set of dental remains be ruled out as belonging to Scott.
However, Allen-Scott has faith in the detectives working the case, singling them out as the primary reason why she has hope her daughter will be found, dead or alive. While she still hopes that she will see her alive someday, she understands that such a feat may not be able to be achieved.
"That is my hope," Allen-Scott said. "But, I also have to go with the evidence that I have found so far that leads to (her) not being here anymore."
Allen-Scott still takes care of her grandson, now 11 years old, who may not remember Scott as clearly as he did when his mother disappeared. But she has worked to keep Scott's memories alive.
"He remembers the pictures, he remembers conversations, he remembers that he has a mother," Allen-Scott said. "But as far as being able to remember her voice (and) the things she used to do with him, he doesn't remember those anymore."
As for her, she said that "no day is easy," noting that on this day nine years ago, Alexis Scott was happy and healthy with a 2-year-old child.
"All I know is after that, she went 'poof' and disappeared," Allen-Scott said.
Moultrie said that media appearances can be a difficult, showing pride for Allen-Scott for showing up to Tuesday's event at police headquarters.
"I just try to be there for April," Moultrie said. "I'm proud of her for coming today because the media is hard and the public is hard."
Moultrie said that she and Allen-Scott will be hosting an event Wednesday at the Long John Silver's restaurant on North Knoxville Avenue, continuing to make people aware of the plight of Alexis Scott while also hosting a perishable food drive for Friendship House.
"They can show up, drop off a can," Moultrie said. "We do a walk around the neighborhood, which we're doing in conjunction with Peoria PD for collaboration and safety."
Dixon still believes that the one breakthrough that opens up the case remains within reach, but he wants the community's continued help in ensuring that that is possible.
"There's so much pain attributed to this investigation, and we just need to bring closure to the family," Dixon said. "Even if you don't think it's important, if you have that tip, please call it in. You can use Tip411, you can use Crime Stoppers. We'll post the detective's number tomorrow that you can call these tips in. That's our ask."
www.crimewatchers.net
