ORANGE COUNTY, Va. -- More than 150 professional search and rescue personnel packed into the Barboursville Fire Department Sunday to prepare for an extensive, exhaustive search for two missing Virginia girls.
Nelson County teen Alexis Murphy went missing in August 2013, and her body has not been found. Samantha Clarke was 19 years old when she was last seen at her Orange County home in October 2010.
The man convicted of killing Murphy, Randy Taylor, is still a suspect in Clarke's disappearance, according to police.
"To say there is no connection between the two cases is kind of ridiculous, plus it would be a disservice to both families," said James Fenwick, Chief of Police in Orange. Fenwick said they have evidence that Taylor and Clarke met the weekend prior to the teen's disappearance.
Sunday's search focused on a 200-acre private hunting club in the Eheart area of Orange County.
"It is an area were Randy Taylor would have been familiar with and had access to. Close to an area were he used to live," said Fenwick.
Fenwick added that they have searched the area before, but wanted to examine the property again now that some of the foliage has fallen off the trees in the densely wooded area.
Canine units, foot searches, and all-terrain vehicles were deployed Sunday to look for any clues linked to either the Clarke or Murphy investigation.
Samantha Clarke's mother attended the pre-search briefing, but did not wish to speak publicly.
"It's a horrible club none of us ask to be members of, " said Trina Murphy, Alexis Murphy's aunt. She came to Sunday's search to show her family's appreciation that law enforcement is still attempting to find her niece.
Murhpy said her family is holding onto hope that both Alexis and Samantha will return home someday.
"It's very important that we stand together. And support each other," said Murphy.
CBS 6 left a voice message with Randy Taylor's attorney for comment on this story, but so far, our call has not been returned.
