INVESTIGATORS CONCLUDE WICOMICO CO. WOMAN KILLED BY HER HUSBAND

(SALISBURY, MD) – Investigators with the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation say their investigation has concluded the missing woman whose body was found in a rural wooded area of Somerset County last Sunday was murdered by her husband.

Based on evidence developed during an intense and cooperative investigation by the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation and the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, investigators have concluded Jess H. Davis, 57, was responsible for the murder of his wife, Alice E. Davis, 55. The couple had lived in the 3500-block of Allen Road, Eden, Md.

On the evening of September 4, 2011, Jess Davis called the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department and reported that his wife of 25 years was missing. He told deputies she had gone to an area store to shop about an hour earlier. Deputies soon found the Davis’ car parked in a lot across from the store where Alice Davis had allegedly gone to shop.

The Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation assumed the investigation into the disappearance of Alice Davis and was assisted by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit. Investigators began to uncover inconsistencies and inaccuracies in statements made and information provided by Jess Davis. Search warrants were granted and evidence obtained during searches of the Davis’ car and home uncovered evidence that indicated Alice Davis may have been the victim of a crime. For instance, personal belongings including her wallet and rings were still in her home.

Investigators developed evidence that showed Jess Davis was in the area of Princess Anne on September 5th, prior to reporting his wife missing. They also uncovered evidence that Jess Davis called a taxi and was picked up in the vicinity of where the Davis’ car was ultimately found. The taxi dropped Davis off less than 100 yards from his home. Jess Davis committed suicide at his home on September 7th.


Just before 5:00 p.m. on September 11, 2011, troopers from the Princess Anne Barrack were dispatched to the 13000-block of Loretto Road, Princess Anne, in response to a call for a body that had been found. Upon arrival, troopers observed the body of an unidentified deceased person lying on the ground in the woods about one-quarter mile from Loretto Road.

The wooded area where the body was found is behind the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob Church on Loretto Road. Members of the congregation were in the woods that afternoon and unexpectedly found the body.

The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Dental records were used to positively identify the body of Alice Davis. After an autopsy, forensic pathologists concluded Alice Davis had been murdered and the cause of her death was blunt force trauma to her head.

Doctors are unable to conclude exactly what specific object was used in the killing. They confirm that it was a hard object, such as a hammer. At this time, a weapon used in the murder has not been identified or recovered, despite extensive searches by police.

Dozens of investigators and crime scene technicians have repeatedly searched the scene and surrounding area where the body of Alice Davis was found. State Highway Administration personnel were brought in to cut down brambles that were growing in and over a large ditch near the scene. The State Police Underwater Recovery Team searched the water-filled ditch. A K-9 dog that detects human scent on items searched the area.

Investigators, deputies, officers, and troopers from the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation, Natural Resources Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Salisbury and Princess Anne barracks have assisted in the searches and other aspects of the investigation. Both the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Somerset County State’s Attorney’s Office have provided legal assistance and guidance throughout the investigation.

Based on the evidence, investigators believe Jess Davis murdered his wife on September 4, 2011. Although they are unable to say definitively, investigators believe the murder likely occurred at or near the location in the woods where the body of Alice Davis was found. Investigators believe Jess Davis transported his wife to that location in their car, returned the car to the parking lot where it was found, and then took a taxi back to the area near his home. Police believe Jess Davis acted alone and was the only person involved in this murder.