Judge refuses to release Alex Whipple on bail as police claim they have DNA evidence linking him to missing girl’s abduction

Alex Whipple appearing by video from the Cache County Jail, May 28, 2019 (Courtesy: Media Pool).
Family photo of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley (Courtesy: Teena Shelley).

LOGAN — A judge has refused to allow the “prime suspect” in the disappearance of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelley, Alex Whipple, to be granted bail. Judge Kevin Allen said based on the information provided by state prosecutors, he ordered the 21-year-old to be held without bail.

Whipple was arraigned in 1st District Court Tuesday afternoon, appearing by video from jail. He sat slouched in a chair, looking up and down, as Judge Allen read the allegations against him.

Earlier, he was charged with six misdemeanors, including failing to disclose his identity, failing to stop at the command of law enforcement, drug possession and other offenses.

During a press conference, Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen explained that they continue to focus on trying to find Shelley, who has been missing since she was last seen sleeping early Saturday morning around 2 a.m. He also said investigators have forensic DNA evidence now that links Whipple to the abduction.

“Our case is progressing and we feel strongly that we have evidence connecting Alex to Lizzy’s disappearance,” stated Jensen.

Tuesday’s charges are all related to Whipple’s arrest Saturday afternoon, when a deputy found him walking alone in Mt. Sterling. He was allegedly found in possession of some of Shelley’s clothing and a metal bat.

The arrest report said Whipple refused to identify himself multiple times and continued to try and walk away from deputies when they stopped him. He became combative, requiring deputies to wrestle him to the ground and handcuff him.

During the press conference, Jensen said the evidence suggests that Whipple acted alone, abducting Shelley from her home near 100 South 400 West, where he was staying the night. They also believe the girl was harmed during the incident.

“From the evidence that we have, we believe that Lizzy is hurt, but we don’t know what condition she is in right now.”

Law enforcement search teams going door-to-door near 300 West 200 North in Logan (Photo: Will Feelright).

Officers have been working the case 24-hours a day since Shelley was reported missing. Search teams have combed through neighboring residences and businesses multiple times during the day. Overnight, officers are reviewing video surveillance footage and following up on leads.

Jensen said the primary search area is about a half-mile around Shelley’s home and the suspected route Whipple walked before he was apprehended in Mt. Sterling.

“There have been evidentiary items discovered within that search. We’ve also searched the 10-mile area that we believe was Alex’s direction of travel. We have just simply found those few items that were in close proximity to Lizzy’s home.”

Officers have released surveillance photos of Whipple and the clothing he was wearing Friday afternoon. They continue to ask residents to check their cameras and smart doorbell systems for anyone that matches the suspect’s description.

Whipple will remain in jail and will likely face more charges as the investigation continues. He is scheduled to appear again in court June 3.


[email protected]

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

4 Comments

  • Marissa Wagoner May 28, 2019 at 6:03 pm Reply

    Fill? Or feel? Do you guys proof read?

    • Son May 29, 2019 at 11:58 am Reply

      Really? Get a life

  • l Rigby May 28, 2019 at 9:03 pm Reply

    It is beyond my comprehension why the suspect was not released in order to allow undercover police to have 24/7 surveillance just in case his niece was/is still alive with a chance for saving her life.

    • Scott Page May 29, 2019 at 10:11 am Reply

      Are you serious? How does law enforcement provide 24×7 surveillance without being seen in a rural community? He isn’t cooperating and he is a clear danger to children. He should remain locked up.

Leave a Reply to l Rigby Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

I agree to these terms.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.