It has been more than six weeks since the search for 21-year-old Michaela Macvilla came to a devastating end. While the seasons have changed, the call for her justice has not.  

“Nothing about this has been easy; absolutely nothing," said Cora Murray, MacVilla's aunt.

MacVilla's family learned of the arrest made in her death Thursday morning.  

“When Michaela went missing the village of St. Johnsville lost something special; we lost our security,” said Murray. 

MacVilla's grandmother and aunt say they are not sure if Michaela knew Daniel Nellis Sr., 45 of Oppenheim, or if he was just a customer at work.  

“He’s not someone who she would ever chat with us about — as in a boyfriend or even a friend. We knew most of her friends,” said Murray. 

While MacVilla's aunt and grandmother says this arrest brings closure, the heartache will continue throughout this holiday season with an empty seat at the table.  

“The day before Thanksgiving, she and I would spend the entire day prepping food for everyone in the family and it’s going to be tough not having her this year," said Murray.

MacVilla's grandmother shared similar sentiments. 

“Right now [closure] is everything that we hold on to because we can’t hold our girl,” said Jeanne Carey, MacVilla's grandmother. 

Nellis was arraigned Thursday on the indictment, charging him with second degree murder and three charges of criminal possession of a weapon. Nellis was remanded to the Fulton County Correctional Facility without bail.

An autopsy performed by pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica at Albany Medical Center, found the manner of death was a homicide, according to the New York State Police press release. MacVilla was shot in the head with a .38 caliber firearm, said the release.

Authorities placed MacVilla's murder sometime between September 25 and 30. 

The body of MacVilla was found by a property owner in early October in Oppenheim. Police say MacVilla was last seen alive just after midnight on September 25, leaving work at the Stewart's shop on West Main Street, several blocks from her home.

"Since the initial report that Michaela was missing, numerous investigative steps were taken. Dozens of leads were developed and followed, numerous interviews and searches were conducted. Several items of evidence were located and collected for analysis," said the release.

Nellis was originally arrested by State Police on weapons charges, but troopers had said the arrest was not related to MacVilla's death. According to the indictment, 10 illegal pistols and revolvers were found in his possession.