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Man Arrested In Michigan For 2004 Killing Of Wife In Yucca Valley

YUCCA VALLEY (AP) — Detectives from Michigan and California have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with the disappearance of his wife, whose body was found buried in the desert near Yucca Valley in 2004.

Authorities say Charles Patrick Leppan was taken into custody at his home in Brandon Township, Mich., on Monday.

Leppan and his wife, Jean, lived in Yucca Valley when she disappeared in 2004. Her skeletal remains were found by a man walking his dog.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies questioned Leppan at the time but he was not charged with a crime.

Michigan authorities say California detectives arrived with a homicide warrant for his arrest.

He is in jail pending an extradition hearing.

San Bernardino authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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