Mom Disappeared Days Before Daughter's Graduation. Then Police Found Her Car — And a Letter Asking for Forgiveness

An Arizona man who was found driving his missing wife’s car with her body inside allegedly told police he killed her. 

Alison Gregory, 41, was reported missing from Surprise, Ariz., on May 14 after she failed to pick up a family member at the airport, the Surprise Police Department said in a statement. 

Police learned she was locked in a “difficult” divorce with her husband, 56-year-old Brandon Gregory, they said in the statement.

During their search of the Gregorys’ residence, investigators came across evidence suggesting there may have been a physical struggle, prompting them to look for both Alison and Brandon’s vehicles. 

Alison’s car was located more than 100 miles away in Mohave County, per the statement. Police found Brandon in the car — allegedly with Alison’s body inside. 

After Brandon was arrested and read his Miranda Rights, he allegedly told police he murdered Alison in their home, police said in the statement. 

According to court documents cited by AZ Family and 12 News, Brandon told police the two got into an argument when Alison allegedly assaulted him.

The argument stemmed from Alison asking Brandon to leave as their house was in the process of being sold, court documents stated, per AZ Family.

Brandon allegedly told police she then kicked him in the groin while holding a baseball bat.

The incident escalated when Brandon took the bat and chased Alison around as she screamed, he allegedly told police.

He then beat her to death, per his alleged confession recorded in court documents, AZ Family and 12 News reported.

Brandon tried to administer CPR, per the court documents, but when she stopped breathing, he allegedly wrapped her in a carpet, cleaned the blood and put her in the car where police eventually found her body.

Police say they also found a note in the car where he addressed his daughters, “requesting their forgiveness for his actions,” AZ Family reported.

Since Alison’s death, tributes are pouring in online from her friends and family members.

She is being remembered for her devotion to her kids and her love for nature, according to her obituary.

“Like her favorite flower, the sunflower, Alison radiated positivity and joy,” read part of the tribute. “She was known for always turning toward the light and inspiring others to do the same.”

In a GoFundMe set up to assist her daughters, who are 14 and 20 in age, a family friend says her youngest daughter was set to graduate to high school this year.

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Brandon has been charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and concealing a dead body. Court records did not indicate plea information; PEOPLE has reached out to his lawyer for comments.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.