Harms was last seen July 27, 2001, at Jiffy Market in Los Gatos after spending the evening at two Campbell bars. Neither she nor her remains have been found.

Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department officers arrested 40-year-old architect Maurice Xavier Nasmeh of San Jose on a murder charge the morning of Dec. 16. He is being held without bail in Santa Clara County Jail.

The arrest resulted from a collaborative investigation by the Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office and other local, state and federal investigators.

"We reached this point by never giving up," Los Gatos Police Chief Scott Seaman said at a press conference held just hours after the arrest. "This case has deeply affected every member of our department and everyone who has worked on it. It has uniquely touched our community."

According to an affidavit authored by Los Gatos police officer Stephen Walpole, here is what happened the night of July 27, 2001:

Harms, who was 42 at the time, arrived at the Rock Bottom Brewery in Campbell shortly before 7 p.m. to meet acquaintance Alex Wilson for drinks. Nasmeh was there with one male and one female friend, and they invited Harms to join them for cocktails. Wilson arrived shortly thereafter and joined them.

After going to Court's Lounge several miles south on Bascom Avenue with only Nasmeh and Wilson for about an hour, Harms drove the men back to Rock Bottom to get their cars and invited both back to her home to continue partying. Only Nasmeh took her up on the offer, and they arrived at her Chirco Drive home around 10:30 p.m.

The two were seen at Jiffy Market buying beer at 10:52 p.m. About 90 minutes later, a neighbor across the street from Harms' home heard a loud percussive sound. He then saw a man matching Nasmeh's description driving east on Chirco away from Harms' home.

Seaman said that trace evidence found in Harms' home, on a rug of hers that was later turned into police, and in Nasmeh's Jeep Cherokee linked Nasmeh to the disappearance.

According to the affidavit, "the only reasonable explanation for that link is her death."

A woman and her daughter found the rug next to a trash bin at a San Jose shopping center in July 2001, just half of a mile from Nasmeh's home. They gave it to police in April 2003.

The trace evidence consisted of fibers that lab tests have shown to be from a stitching project Harms had started. Seaman said no DNA evidence has been found.

Jesus "Jess" Sanchez, Harms' father, told the Los Gatos Weekly-Times by phone that his family was relieved to learn of the arrest, but that "the hard road" remained ahead.

"What we want, of course, is to know what happened to our daughter, and where her remains are," he said. "We'll have somewhat of a closure when we find the remains, when we know what happened finally."

Sanchez said he and his wife Georgette were very grateful to the police department and the district attorney's office for keeping in contact throughout the investigation, assuring them that Harms' case would not be forgotten. Seaman's pledge of vigilance was especially comforting to the family.

"When he assumed the office [of chief in 2002], he assured me that they would not rest until they arrested someone," Sanchez said.

While he said he was proud of those who worked on the case, thanking investigators, media, family and many others, Seaman said there is still more work to do.

"I'm sorry for the family that we don't have Jeanine yet," he said. "I look forward to that day."

Police are asking anyone who might have information about Nasmeh's activities between about midnight and 6 a.m. on July 28, 2001, to call a tip line at 408.399.5731 or visit www.lgmspd.gov. Investigators are also searching for several items missing from Harms' home, including blue and white striped couch cushions, a blue and white floral pattern couch cover, a Nokia cell phone, a black purse and a silver watch.