HUMBLE, Texas (Isabelle Zehnder reporting) – A body found by Texas EquuSearch volunteers in Montgomery County Sunday was positively identified Monday as missing 20-year-old Amber Chantel Elkins; James David "JD" Clarke, 31, confessed he'd shot her in the head and stuffed her lifeless body in a duffel bag; he was charged in her murder and is held on $250,000 bail.
The body was found around 3:30 p.m. EquuSearch director Tim Miller told CBS affiliate KHOU they'd obtained information from the sheriff's office that phone calls had bounced off nearby cell phone towers and they found the body within the perimeter.
It was reported that Amber shopped for a new dress the day she went missing in preparation for a custody hearing scheduled the following day. She was allegedly fighting for custody of her 9-month-old daughter, Ava Nicole, who Amber's mom says is now in the custody of the baby's bio-father.
Some family and friends referred to Clarke as Amber's relatively new boyfriend but her sister Ashley adamently denies that claim saying he was only someone Amber was trying to help. "She wore her heart on her sleeve, she's like the rest of us," Ashley told KHOU. "I mean, if we've got dollars in our pocket and you need it, we'll give it to you."
Immediate need
Amber's family is asking that instead of flowers people send donations to help with funeral expenses.They say any additional funds will be put in a trust for Amber's 9-month-old baby, Ava's care. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo or Wachovia Bank under the Amber Elkins Memorial Fund, Account Number 9740341004.
Monday's probable cause hearing
Harris County District Court records show that Clarke did not request an attorney, nor was one listed, for his probable cause hearing Monday.
Prosecutors listened as Clarke told them he'd told two people he killed Amber - his ex-girlfriend and another friend - but there has been no mention as to whether he actually told these two people, or if either of them told police what they allegedly knew.
After his confession, Clarke would not tell police where Amber's body could be located.He has a long prior history of assault and drug charges.
Clarke's bail, originally set at $200,000 was increased to $250,000 because he poses a flight risk and has a lengthy criminal record. Clarke was Elkin’s boyfriend. For more details read: James D. Clarke says he killed Amber C. Elkins, put her body in a duffel bag.
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Reported missing, family agonizes
Amber's family agonized, hoping for the best, but sadly having every reason to believe the worst.
Amber was reported missing on Sunday, July 24.
Two days later her SUV was found in an abandoned parking lot by two men working next door at Tommy's Car Care. Tommy and his brother saw a broken window and a significant amount of blood on the seats, and immediately called 911.
The search for Amber intensified after her abandoned SUV was located.
Texas EquuSearch volunteers assisted police, braving the heat to find her. Finally, last Sunday the volunteers found a body in Montgomery County that was believed to belong to Amber.
A judge ordered the body be sent to the local forensic center to be identified. By Wednesday the body was identified as Amber Chantel Elkins, her death was ruled a homicide.
Amber leaves behind a nine-month old infant who. On the day Amber went missing she was due to attend a custody hearing.
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