Friends of dead influencer found naked by side of Texas road say she was 'scared for her life' and divorcing her 49-year-old husband of one year - as her mother says 'it was DEFINITELY foul play'

The death of an influencer found naked by the side of a Texas road was 'absolutely foul play', according to her mother.  

Alexis Sharkey, 26, was found 'with no visible signs of injury' by city workers in Houston on Saturday. She had been missing since Black Friday. 

Her mom Stacey Clark Robinault told Click2Houston her death 'is absolutely foul play', adding: 'There is nothing to me that suggests that this was an accident.' 

Alexis' husband of a year Tom, 49, paid tribute calling her 'the most amazing woman'. The couple got married in December and moved to Houston in January.

But Tanya Ricardo, who has spent Thanksgiving with her late friend, told Khou 'divorce was being filed'. 

She said: 'Recently, she opened up to us about it and divorce was being filed. She was a very private person. She didn't share a lot about what was going on at home.'

Another friend told ABC13 Alexis had said she was 'petrified' in the weeks before her death, adding: 'This girl is scared for her life.' It is not known why she may have been scared.   

Robinault said she had been discussing Christmas plans with her daughter in the days before she disappeared. Alexis, who had more than 21,000 followers on Instagram, regularly shared updates about her life, most recently a trip to Mexico

Alexis was said to have been in the process of divorcing her husband, according to friends

Alexis Sharkey, 26, was found 'with no visible signs of injury' by city workers in Houston on Saturday after they spotted feet in bushes, pictured

Robinault said: 'The way in which she was found, my child would never do that to herself. 

'And there's nothing to me that suggests anything else, other than that this was done to her. And I believe that in my mother's gut.' 

She told ABC13: 'I do believe she was murdered.' 

The couple got married in December last year and moved to Houston in January. Tom paid tribute, writing: 'Never seen or felt such beauty! You are my world! You made life so incredible! Made sense of my existence! My purpose! And showed me how to truly love!'

Following news of her death Alexis' husband Tom paid tribute calling her 'the most amazing woman'. Tom shared pictures of his late wife in her wedding dress

Alexis' mom Stacey Clark Robinault told Click2Houston her death 'is absolutely foul play', adding: 'There is nothing to me that suggests that this was an accident'

Robinault had earlier said her daughter 'had an argument' shortly before she went missing but it is not clear who with.

Officers had said they do not believe her death was natural and they believe the body had been there overnight, KVUE reports. A cause of death is unknown; an autopsy is pending.     

Alexis' body was found just three miles from friend Tanya Ricardo's home. The last time they spoke was Friday evening; they had plans to watch movies Saturday.

Tanya said: 'I mean, just threw her on the side of the road, naked, like garbage. I just, I don't get it. No one gets away with something like this. No one.

'I don't know who could have done something like this to her. Whoever did this, we're going to find them. We're going to do everything it takes. So, everyone can put her to rest in peace.'  

Alexis' body was found just three miles from friend Tanya Ricardo's home. The last time they spoke was Friday evening; they had plans to watch movies Saturday.

The body of Alexis Sharkey, 26, who went missing on Black Friday, has been found

Robinault said her friends last heard from her at 6pm; since then her calls went to voicemail

Alexis, who had more than 21,000 followers on Instagram, regularly shared updates about her life, most recently a trip to Mexico. 

Paying tribute to his last wife Tom shared pictures of her in her wedding dress, writing: 'Never seen or felt such beauty! You are my world! You made life so incredible! Made sense of my existence! My purpose! And showed me how to truly love!' 

Confirming her death Robinault wrote: 'It's with deeply broken hearts that Mike and I want to let you all know that Lexi's body has been found. We cannot begin to thank you all for your love and the kind words you've extended to our family!'