A man from Capitol Heights, Maryland, has been taken into custody following accusations of shooting and killing his girlfriend, then attempting to conceal her body in a makeshift tomb within his residence, as per authorities.
The Prince George’s Police Department disclosed that 30-year-old Devontae Gray faces charges of first-degree murder and other related offenses in connection with the demise of 29-year-old Alexis Schuler from Washington, D.C.
The Metropolitan Police Department in D.C. reached out to Prince George’s County police on Jan. 18 for aid in a missing persons inquiry concerning Schuler, who had been reported missing earlier in the week.
On a subsequent Saturday, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Gray’s home as part of the ongoing investigation. During the search, investigators discovered what they believed to be Schuler’s remains, which Gray had allegedly gone to great lengths to conceal.
Gray was apprehended at the scene and purportedly admitted to the crime, according to police statements.
Further investigations revealed that Schuler had sustained gunshot wounds, as confirmed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Surveillance footage from Jan. 12 to 13 showed Gray transporting construction materials in and out of his residence while donning a full-body construction suit and gloves. The materials observed in the video included cement, sheet rock, cinder blocks, plastic bags, and large black storage containers.
During a welfare check at Gray’s home on Jan. 14, authorities detected an unusual odor upon entry but attributed it to the unclean conditions of the dwelling. Subsequent searches on Jan. 19 uncovered a semi-automatic handgun, fresh drywall, acetone, lemon ammonia, and various cleaning and construction items within the residence.
With assistance from the Prince George’s County Fire Department, investigators removed drywall and unearthed a hidden compartment under the stairs, where a 'makeshift tomb' was found. Inside a bin within the space, a human foot believed to belong to Schuler was discovered.
Gray has been charged with first-degree murder and related offenses and is currently in custody pending further legal proceedings.
