See developments that led up to Macon arrests in Gabriella Dixon’s disappearance

Human remains found Wednesday led investigators back to the case of a young mom who went missing last year.

Gabriella Dixon, a mother of two children, was 18 years old when her mother reported to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office that Dixon was missing.

Reginald Harris, the father of the kids, was “acting very suspicious” about where Dixon could be, the mother told deputies. A warrant was served for Harris on July 24, in connection to the “murder of Dixon,” a press release said.

Jatarvius Deangelo Price, 19, was the first person arrested in connection to Dixon’s disappearance. Multiple outlets reported Price is Harris’ cousin.

With new arrests made last week, here’s how the investigation into Dixon’s disappearance has unfolded.

Sept. 3, 2023 - Harris allegedly followed Dixon, their children and another man in their car and shot at them, according to a warrant.

Harris confronted Dixon after the shooting and claimed Dixon disrespected him by having another man near his children. Dixon also showed deputies a text from Harris that read, “Don’t be surprised when I knock on the door,” a warrant said.

Sept. 23, 2023 - Harris allegedly choked Dixon and held her at gunpoint in their apartment, a warrant said. Harris threatened to kill Dixon if she left him, a warrant read.

There were bruises on Dixon’s neck, deputies said. She was then urged by deputies to get a restraining order against Harris, a warrant said.

There are no court documents that show a restraining order was made.

Oct. 30, 2023 - Harris dropped their kids off at the home of Dixon’s mother, Gaby Searcy, in Macon.

The last time Searcy spoke to Dixon was around 6 p.m., and her brother saw her that day, according to a police report.

Searcy tried to contact Dixon, but could not reach her.

When the kids got home, the 2-year-old told Searcy, “Momma was in blood,” according to the report. The older grandchild told the 2-year-old that, “It was okay, Momma is sleeping.”

Searcy asked Harris where Dixon was, but said he was “acting very suspicious about the incident,” according to a police report.

Harris allegedly told her that Dixon was working, but Searcy said she was not because “she had her laptop that she uses for work,” a report said.

Oct. 31, 2023 - Searcy reported Dixon missing to Bibb deputies.

Nov. 1, 2023 - The sheriff’s office announced Dixon was missing, and asked for the public’s assistance in locating her, according to a press release.

Her family and friends told deputies they “had not seen or heard from her in the last two days,” a media release said.

Nov. 7, 2023 - Harris was booked into the Bibb County Jail and faced two charges of aggravated assault; terroristic threats and acts; and battery, according to a court document.

Dixon’s disappearance was investigated as a missing person case until evidence of a homicide was confirmed, the sheriff’s office said.

Nov. 17, 2023 - Investigators executed a warrant and arrested Price at a home in Juliette. He was charged with making false statements and tampering with evidence, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Price’s arrest was the first directly linked to Dixon’s disappearance.

Jan. 8, 2024 - Two indictments were filed, one against Harris and Price over an allegation of concealing physical evidence. They allegedly concealed a foam mattress and fabric covering the day Dixon was reported missing.

The other indictment charged Harris with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in an attempt to commit a felony, according to court documents. This referred to the incident in September when he allegedly shot at a car with Dixon, her kids and another man inside.

Jan. 23, 2024 - An indictment charged Harris with two counts of aggravated assault against a family member; one count of firearm possession without a permit in an attempt to commit a crime; one count of terroristic threats; and one count of battery against a family member. This referred to the incident on Sept. 23, 2023, when Harris allegedly choked Dixon, and threatened to kill her if she left him.

July 24, 2024 - Human remains believed to be Dixon’s were found in the woods near Highway 87 in Monroe County, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Price was arrested as a “person of interest” that afternoon and faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

A warrant was served for Harris in connection to the “murder of Dixon,” Bibb deputies said.

The remains were taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to be “positively identified,” a press release said.

Alba Rosa contributed to reporting in this story.

This story was originally published July 29, 2024 at 1:51 PM.