Police are investigating a "sexual motive" in the death of Jessica Padgett of Whitehall.

Padget, 33, disappeared Nov. 21 from Duck Duck Goose Childcare Inc. in Northampton, where she was employed. She was found dead Nov. 26. Her stepfather, Gregory R. Graf, 53, of 451 Covered Bridge Road, Allen Township, has been charged.

"That sexual motive is still being investigated," Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli told Nancy Grace while he was a guest on her show by telephone. "It's either before the murder, during or a desire, perhaps, to have sex with a deceased body."

Graf is married to Padgett's mother, who was in Florida on vacation at the time of the murder.

Morganelli said there's no evidence of a sexual relationship between Graf and Padgett before the murder.

"I believe Jessica Padgett was a very nice young lady, trying to raise her children, recently married," Morganelli said. "She's an innocent victim here. I don't think there's any evidence we have or expect to find that there was anything improper that she did."

Morganelli said Graf admitted to police he shot Padgett in the back of the head and buried her under a shed on his property, on which he also ran his business, Distinctive Fence.

"He [Graf] is the one who told the district attorney where the body was, where he buried this young girl, indicated he had shot her, described the caliber of the gun and gave some other information," Morganelli said.

Padgett and her husband, Michael, were married in August. They have three children. (See obituary, page 6.)

"We are devastated by the loss of Jessica," said Padgett's sister, Kristi Davis, on the Help Find Jessica Padgett Facebook page. "She was a beautiful, vibrant young woman who was beloved by her family and friends. The world shines less bright today."

The Facebook page had been initiated before Padgett's body was found. It indicated she left Duck Duck Goose around 1 p.m. to send a fax at her stepfather's place and that she failed to return. Police found Padgett's car at the Dollar General in Northampton.

Davis thanked the state police for finding Padgett and thanked the public and media for their help in spreading the word and her photo.

"We are deeply moved and very thankful for the endless volunteers who gave their time and effort in searching for her," Davis wrote. "We ask that you please respect our privacy while we grieve."

Neighbor Jim Wilkins, whose wife grew up with Padgett, stated on the Facebook page that prayers are needed for her immediate family.

"It is with a heavy heart we are ending our search for Jess," Wilkins posted. "We will watch over your family and make sure your babies are taken care of."

"It is very sad what happened to her, she has three kids. She wanted to work at the day care so she can be close to her son. It's going to take some time to heal and I miss her dearly, " said Jessica's close friend, Tiffany Kunkle of Northampton.

According to a post by Shauna Wilkins on the Help Find Jessica Padgett Facebook page, a GoFundMe account has been set up for Padgett's children. Her husband and his mother, who are caring for the children, will have access to it in order to provide for their basic needs such as day care, food and clothing.

If anyone would like to donate, go to GoFundMe.com/huenu0.

A new Facebook page hosted by Maria Pizzo, called "Turn on your porch light/Candles for the Memory of Jessica Padgett," asks the public to turn their porch lights on through Dec. 7.