The 4-year-old Texas girl who went missing, and whose remains were later found hundreds of miles away in Arkansas, died from “homicidal violence,” a medical examiner ruled.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences released the cause and manner of death for Maleah Davis on Friday, media outlets reported.
It's unclear whether new criminal charges will be brought against Derion Vence, the ex-fiance of Maleah's mother. Vence is currently charged with tampering with evidence relating to the girl's disappearance, The Houston Chronicle reported.
"Our team remains hard at work and is proceeding methodically and thoroughly," said Harris County District Attorney's Office spokesman Dane Schiller. "We will present all the evidence to a grand jury to determine which criminal charges are warranted. We remain dedicated to finding the truth and delivering justice for Maleah and the entire community."
Maleah was reported missing May 4, while she was in the care of Vence as her mother attended an out-of-town funeral, according to previous Cox Media Group reports. Vence told police that he, Maleah and his 2-year-old son were abducted by three men who later let him and his son go. However, Sugar Land police, who initially interviewed him, said his story kept changing and didn't add up.
Vence was arrested May 11.
Maleah’s remains were found May 31 along the side of a Fulton, Arkansas road after a community activist told police that Vence admitted to disposing of her body in the area.
Vence has denied killing Maleah. His attorney, Dorian Cotlar, declined comment to The Chronicle.
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