Alexis Gabe remembered for joyful spirit
Family and friends gather to honor woman killed at 23
A little more than a year to the day that she went missing, Alexis Gabe's family and friends gathered to remember the vivacious young woman with an infectious laugh who never failed to bring a smile to the face of others.
Alexis, 23, disappeared on the evening of Jan. 26, 2022, after she left her Oakley home to visit her ex-boyfriend Marshall Curtis Jones in Antioch. Police later determined Marshall killed her, but before they could arrest him at the Seattle-area apartment where he had relocated, he charged at the arresting officers, who fatally shot him.
The case drew national attention — including from the KlaasKidsFoundation — and a Facebook page to help find her drew nearly 17,000 followers. After many months of searching for her, her partial remains were found on Nov. 3 in a remote area near Plymouth in Amador County.
But on Saturday night, the large crowd gathered at the Oakley Recreation Center for Alexis' Celebration of Life focused on the young woman who loved to sing and listened to music for hours — from Frank Ocean to Frank Sinatra — was a talented artist, photographer, loyal friend and loving daughter.
“She was the type of person who saw the goodness in others and welcomed anyone like they were family,” said Jessica Zuasola, Alexis's cousin. “She wasn't afraid to stand up for others or fight for injustices. Lex loved fiercely and was
extremely loyal to those in her circle.”
Gwyn Marquis Gabe, Alexis' older brother, said he had been so excited for their future.
“I wanted you to be the cool aunt for my children and I wanted to be the cool uncle for your kids,” he said. “We talked about doing so much. … We were supposed to have so many more laughs together. So many more inside jokes. So much more food to have, so many more places to explore.”
Alexis' mother, Rowena, struggled to hold back tears over the loss of her only daughter, whom she called her shopping buddy, her best friend.
“As a family, we lost a beautiful soul who brought joy to our world and laughter to our days,” she said.
She recalled how her
daughter would giggle and dance in front of her while she was watching TV or try to sit in her mother's lap.
“I hope you know the joy and goodness you brought into the world,” she said.
The Liberty High School
and Los Medanos College graduate had just finished schooling to become an EKG technician and was waiting for an internship while working at a local pharmacy before she was killed.
Gwyn Gabe, Alexis' father, the face of many public searches and events over the past year, tried to lighten the mood, saying he would often tease her by calling out to her just when she was singing the high parts of a song.
“I'm just trying to make everyone smile because everyone is so quiet and sad,” he said. “We don't want to make this a sad occasion for Alexis.”
He then sang a song, “Smile,” that he dedicated to his wife Rowena, whom he said has been depressed for so many months but recently began to smile again because of all the new friends she has met through volunteers who have supported the family in searches and more.
Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard also spoke, praising the Gabe family and the community for coming together to help.
“Speaking as your police chief, I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve Alexis and the Gabe family,” he said. “We wish you peace and solace. You did a wonderful job raising a beautiful daughter.”
Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Mary Knox also thanked the community for coming together to search for Alexis and support the family.
“This is truly what it means to be a community, and you should all be very proud of yourselves and the example you are setting for your children and everyone around you.”
She also promised to work to get justice in the case, which she said would bring some closure for the family, investigators and the community.
“To mean, at this point in time, for Alexis, it means accountability and responsibility, moral responsibility for everyone who played a part and remained defiant and who didn't come forward and tell the truth,” Knox said.
The Gabe family had hoped the district attorney would file charges against Jones' mother for helping him cover up the homicide, but in August the office said there was “insufficient evidence.”
The Gabes say, though, they will not give up and continue to search for additional remains, which could lead to more clues about what happened to Alexis and help in bringing her justice.
“We will never stop searching for the rest of Alexis' remains,” event host Caroline Ocampo told those attending the service, many of whom were search volunteers. “The Gabe family and I are indebted to all of you, many of you here in this room.”