A Maryland man buried his missing girlfriend in the wall of his home, authorities said Tuesday.

Alexis Schuler, 29, went missing on January 14, and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) requested the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) on Saturday to assist in the search for her, PGPD Chief Sgt. Malik Aziz told reporters on Tuesday.

Schuler’s mother reports missing, WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore reportedThis was reported by the Metropolitan Police Department.

The department also contacted the Capitol Heights Police Department (CHPD) on Jan. 14 for the same reason, CHPD Chief Darryl Morgan added. Schuler was last seen at the home of Devonte Gray, 30, in Capitol Heights.

PGPD searched Gray’s home with permission from Chief Morgan. “While inside, the Homicide Investigation and Evidence Team along with the Prince George’s County Fire Department discovered Mr. Schuler’s body inside a newly constructed wall,” Chief Aziz said. “The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the victim was shot.”

Detectives found Schuler’s body under a large amount of dirt and hay inside a garbage can wrapped in plastic, charging documents said, according to NBC4 Washington. reported. Gray is said to have buried the bodies in concrete, drywall and faux bricks. According to the indictment, officers saw newly constructed drywall being torn away and a human foot, believed to be Schuler’s, sticking out. Officers allegedly found various construction and cleaning materials inside the home.

Aziz told reporters that officers arrested Gray, who later confessed to the crime. WBAL-TV reported that Gray said he shot Schuler two or three times after the argument. (Related: Report: Pregnant woman shot by estranged husband and suffered several failed pregnancies)

Gray is being held in the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections and faces charges including first-degree murder, Aziz said.

The killing shocked the community and left the family heartbroken, Aziz told reporters.

Aziz said 21 domestic-related homicides rocked Prince George’s County in 2024. “We have to speak out against this violence, especially domestic violence,” he said. “Violent crime and domestic violence must stop. We owe it to each other.”

Aziz said the State Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case. Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy has vowed to deliver justice in this case.

Several members of Schuler’s family attended the press conference. Schuler’s cousin Derek read a statement on behalf of the family, thanking everyone involved and saying that despite the undesirable outcome, the family can now find closure. The family also thanked newly re-elected D.C. City Council member Trayon White.

Schuler had three children, Derek said. Gray was the father of one of them, NBC4 Washington reported.

“Alexis’ story is a poignant reminder that love isn’t like that. No one who loves you would do what Devonte Gray did to her,” Derek claims. did.