Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said the department is looking into new leads in the disappearance of Peorian Alexis Scott nine years ago, which the department now considers to be a death investigation.
Scott was 20 when she disappeared on Sept. 23, 2017, after a Peoria party. Her family has stayed active pushing for answers.
Scott’s mother, April Allen-Scott, a family spokesperson, Dusti Moultrie, and Dixon discussed the case Tuesday afternoon at the Peoria Police Department to bring further awareness to the case after nine years.
Dixon said his strategy did not change when he became police chief in May, but when he was Criminal Investigation Department lieutenant.
“We just looked at some different aspects, had some different people take a look at it and I think we found some leads that we hadn’t looked at before, and we chase those down,” Dixon said. “…I think my job as the chief is to set the tone of the investigation. We’re never gonna wait on it. We’re going to be moving on these cases.”
Nine years in, Dixon said some people may not have come forward with information because they don't think it's important. But he implored the public to let them know any detail they might have.
“Maybe you remember something in a conversation with somebody about Alexis,” said Dixon. “Please bring that forward, let us investigate it, let us track it down. There’s no detail too small. It could be that one missing piece that we need to find her.”
Moultrie likes how the case is being handled.
“Leadership matters, right,” Moultrie said, “and a few years or maybe about two years in when they put good leadership, good detectives on the case, it kind of changed the tone, the communication and I think things really went in a much more positive light.”
The Alexis Camry Scott Campaign Facebook page regularly shares reports of area missing persons. To similar families and friends who may also be looking for a loved one, Moultrie emphasized a message of reliance and working together.
“What I would say is ‘Don’t give up,’” said Moultrie. “It’s always good to have support. Don’t be afraid to team up with the police department. I think that’s one stigma that community often has, and don’t be afraid. Push, because I think that’s the important part. Some cases do go to the wayside because they don’t have the same push.”
Meanwhile, Dixon wants the public to know the department has not given up finding Scott and her family continues to help with the case.
“April, she’s been amazingly tough, and the Alexis Camry Scott Campaign has forwarded us tips and kept it out in the public eye,” said Dixon. “I just think everybody should know that this is not a cold case for us in the traditional sense. We actively investigate this case. It’s still ongoing. There [are] still detectives assigned to it that work on this case actively.”
The Alexis Camry Scott Campaign is hosting an awareness and food drive from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Long John Silvers at 1801 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria. The campaign will collect canned goods for the Peoria Friendship House and do a community walk with the police department.
