Hundreds gathered around the large Christmas tree in downtown Oakley on a chilly Friday evening to pay tribute to 24-year-old Alexis Gabe, who was murdered nearly a year ago.
The woman’s father, Gwyn Gabe, said it was important to thank the community, which had helped search for his daughter and lent support to the family for months.
“It’s been really hard for us, but what gives us comfort is the love and support from this community, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” he told the friends and officials gathered.
Gabe, an Oakley resident, disappeared on Jan. 26 after visiting her ex-boyfriend Marshall Curtis Jones in Antioch. Police later closed in on Jones, who had relocated to a Seattle suburb, but as he was being arrested he allegedly charged at police officers and was killed.
After months of searching, Gabe’s partial remains were found on Nov. 3 in a remote area near Plymouth. But the family has not given up searching for additional remains and looking to get justice for Alexis.
Brother Marquis Gabe was emotional as he remembered his older sister.
“She was my best friend,” Marquis Gabe said. “I miss her every day.”
“You guys gave us so much strength … thank you so, so much,” he said.
Friends, coworkers and local police who were part of the exhaustive search took turns paying tribute to the beloved Oakley woman. They remembered her as “joyous,” “kind,” “helpful” and “happy.” Some gave out pink bracelets and car magnets, while “Justice for Alexis” T-shirts and Christmas ornaments with her photos were available for purchase as a fundraiser for the continuing search for additional remains.
Oakley Councilwoman Sue Higgins said she knew the late Alexis from shopping at Rite Aid where she had once worked.
“Her spirit brought our sister cities together and really formed a community and that community lives on in all of us,” Higgins said. “… We want justice for what has happened and we’re keeping the candle lit for Alexis.”
Brentwood Mayor Joel Bryant also paid tribute to Alexis and the community that helped.
“Through this whole situation hopefully we can understand that we truly are better together,” Bryant said. “This should be a resounding message to all of us to take more care for each other. If you see something that you’re concerned with, if you’re worried about, lift your eyes up just a little and look around, because we truly are one family, one community.”
Correspondent Roni Gehlke contributed to this report.
