On Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at approximately 8:00 am, an extensive search was conducted, via search warrant, on a large tract of land adjacent to Church Hill Road and Desha Road in Essex County. The search was performed in an attempt to locate Gabriella Dawn Watkins, 19, who had been reported missing. At approximately 11:50 am, remains believed to be that of Ms. Watkins were located. Ms. Watkins was last seen on December 06, 2024 in the Placid Bay Subdivision in Westmoreland County. The remains will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further examination.
Subsequent to the recovery, Mr. Abraham Medina, 20, of Oak Grove was arrested without incident in the 2900 block of Kings Highway in Westmoreland County. He is charged with one count of transport, secrete, conceal or alter a dead body. He received no bond and his first court appearance has been scheduled.
Agencies that assisted in the search included Westmoreland and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices, Tappahannock Police Department, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management(VDEM)/ K-9 Alert and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
Investigation continues. Additional charges pending.
