James David Clarke, 31, is charged with murder for the death of 20-year-old Amber Elkins. Investigators said they found enough evidence to arrest Clarke . They picked him up Saturday at a motel in Humble.
Now, Texas Equusearch and dozens of volunteers are in recovery mode, searching for Amber's body. Clarke has not said where her remains might be.
Amber's family was in a church building Saturday, surrounded by Texas Equusearch volunteers who were searching for her, when they began receiving text messages saying Clarkewas charged with her murder.
Amber's mother was overwhelmed with emotion and ran outside the church, crying. Family, friends and search volunteers began consoling her.
Amber's father, Mike Elkins, was also at the church. He and his wife flew in from Georgia last night to help with search efforts.
Elkins told us Saturday night that he just wants Amber's accused killer to let detectives know where his daughter's body is.
"She told me she loved me. Never in a million years did I dream that would be the last conversation," he said.
Elkins tried hard to hold back emotions as he remembered the last telephone conversation he had with his daughter last week.
"He's causing a lot of pain for a lot of people right now, and she doesn't deserve this," he said.
The young mother was last seen Sunday. One day later, her vehicle was found abandoned at a car wash near Humble along the banks of Greens Bayou.
Eyewitnesses said the windows were smashed and there was blood inside.
Elkins was the mother of a 9-month old daughter. She had been fighting for custody of the girl and was supposed to be in court Monday, but she never appeared.
Investigators said Elkins had been dating Clarke for about one month. Her family members said they didn't know much about him.
According to records, Clarke has a long criminal history that includes assault, drugs and theft charges.
"The only thing that I would say to this guy, I just want to say it from my heart. Stop this! You know, however you've got to do it. Stop this! Whatever happened, you and God can work that out. Don't let my baby lay out here like this. Help me bring my baby home," Elkins said.
Search teams have been combing the Humble area for two days. They'll continue the search at 8:30am Sunday, meeting at VFW Post 10352 on Waverly Drive. Volunteers are welcome.
There will also be a candlelight vigil at 7pm Sunday at the VFW Post/search command center.
Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com as we continue to follow this developing story.
