Kayeleigh Gammill’s death now considered a homicide

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)-  UPDATE DEC. 15, 2022, at 3:14 p.m.- The death of a woman whose body was found in Big Sur is now being investigated as a homicide, said the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

Kayeleigh Alyssa Gammill's, 20, body was found discarded in Big Sur in late August after being reported missing two weeks prior on August 17. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office says they have no further information to give at this time.

They are investigating various leads and would not disclose her cause of death or if they had a suspect.

Kayeleigh Gammil's family asking for answers after she was found dead in Big Sur in August

UPDATE NOV. 11, 2022, at 2:53 p.m.- A Salinas family is mourning while searching for answers in the wake of a tragedy that has made the upcoming Holidays anything but a happy time.

Family invited KION to Kayeleigh's home in Tynan Village, where she lived with her mother, Jennifer Gammill, and her brothers. A somber mood filled the home where Kayleigh's laugh once echoed through the walls and brought joy to her family.

"She was always smiling, she was fun, she was a giver. She loved to protect people and be there for her friends," Christina Vasquez, a longtime friend of Kayeleigh's mother, said. "No matter who you were, what path of life you came from, Kayeleigh was always there for you if she knew you."

Kayeleigh Alyssa Gammill's, 20, body was found discarded in Big Sur in late August after being reported missing two weeks prior. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office says her death is suspicious and not believed to be a suicide.

"A couple months prior, we had done a big family celebration, and she was fine, she seemed happy," said Vasquez. "She was always here at home or with her mom. Nothing out of the ordinary that I knew of."

Even after her passing, Kayeleigh still spends the day with her mother, just now in an urn on a bookcase. She's still with her sisters in a necklace filled with her ashes.

"It's been hard... Mostly for Jennifer and the family here at the house. It's hard for me to be here sometimes at the house. I haven't been here really," said Vasquez

She leaves behind not only her ashes but a plethora of unanswered questions that her family is left to piece together.

"The most important thing is what I know we want. Justice for Kayeleigh," said Vasquez "To find out what's going on, what happened, and more answers. It's been definitely hard and now, with the Holidays coming, it's not going to be a fun thing."

Sheriff's detectives still have no answers for the young girl's mysterious death. If you know anything call detective David Vargas at 831-755-3771 and detective Wilson at 831-759-7203.

You can help her family with funeral costs by donating on their gofundme here.

Kayeleigh's obituary describes her as an "amazing daughter, irreplaceable sister, and a incredible friend."

Born on May 1, 2002 in Palestine, Texas; she was loved by so many the moment she took her first breath to the day she took her last breath on August 30, 2022. KK was fearless and if she loved you as a friend or family she would do anything to make your heart smile with happiness. That's all she ever wanted. Her smile would brighten up any room she walked in. KK had so many hopes and dreams never wanting to disappoint anyone. She strived to be the best person she could be. She was always willing to help out a friend in anyway she could, mostly with her great advice. She was wise beyond her years. She will be terribly missed by all she touched.

Kayeleigh's obituary

She is survived by her mother, Jennifer Gammill; her father, James Cole; her brothers, Kobee and Koree Walker, Jamille Henderson of St. Louis, Missouri; Aunt Lori Gammill; Great Aunts, Lois Humphrey and Sallie La Fluer; numerous cousins; Grandmother, Alice Cole and Great Grandpa, James Starr.

Detectives investigating the death of Salinas woman Kayeleigh Gammil as suspicious

UPDATE NOV. 8, 2022, at 12:53 p.m.- The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said they are actively investigating the suspicious death of a Salinas woman found in Big Sur back in August.

Kayeleigh Alyssa Gammil, 20, body was recovered off Highway 1 in the Big Sur area on August 30, nearly two weeks after being reported missing, said detectives. This investigation is very active, and detectives are searching through various leads. They are asking the public to come forward with any information.

Detectives are investigating this case as a suspicious death and not a suicide. Detectives also say this case has no relation to the disappearance of another Salinas woman who went missing in Big Sur, Areli Garcia.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call detective David Vargas at 831-755-3771 and detective Wilson at 831-759-7203

ORIGINAL STORY

Salinas Police said back in August, a Salinas woman left her home and was found dead in Big Sur weeks later.

The death of Kayeleigh Alyssa Gammill, 20, is now being investigated by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office as a suspicious death, according to Salinas Police. A cause of death has not been determined.

Meanwhile, her family is still grieving her death. They say they want answers and ask the public for help finding them.

Read more: Areli Garcia considered missing by Salinas Police, disappearance seemed "wrong from the beginning"

Kayleigh went missing on August 17th from her home at Tynan Village in Salinas. She was found nearly two weeks later in Big Sur on August 30th, her family told KION.

Investigators told her family that she was found about 200 yards from the road and about a mile away from Dolan Creek. Investigators are unsure whether her body was dumped there or if she died where she was found.

Kayleigh was described as "very much so loved and is incredibly missed by her family and friends."

KION has reached out to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office for an update on her case. We are awaiting a response.

You can help her family with funeral costs by donating on their gofundme here.

People with information are encouraged to call Detective Wilson with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department at (831) 759-7203, or the tip line is 1-888-833-4847.