Watch CBS News

Investigators Find Body Near Temecula While Searching For Missing Military Wife

TEMECULA (CBS) — A body was found Tuesday in southern Riverside County, and San Diego investigators suspect it may be a 22-year-old military wife who disappeared last week.

The discovery of the body was made off Warren Road, near Temecula and Lake Skinner Park, at about 2:30 p.m., San Diego County Sheriff's Department Capt. Duncan Fraser said.

News of the discovery broke just hours after a woman was arrested in San Diego in connection with the disappearance of Fallbrook resident Brittany Killgore.

Killgore, whose husband is deployed overseas, disappeared Friday evening, allegedly after meeting up with Louis Ray Perez, a Marine based in Camp Pendleton.

Body Found In Riverside County
(credit: CBS)

Homicide detectives were investigating Killgore's disappearance and believed there was "a strong likelihood" she was a "victim of foul play," sheriff's Lt. Larry Nesbit said earlier. He said investigators originally suspected that Killgore may have been the victim of a lover's triangle but now believe the motive may have been much more sinister.

On the same day the body was discovered investigators made an arrest in the case. Jessica Lynn Lopez, 27, was taken into custody at a motel on Rosecrans Street in San Diego and was expected to be booked on suspicion of murder. She has reportedly been admitted to UC San Diego Medical Center for minor self-inflicted wounds. Upon her release she will reportedly be booked on suspicion of murder.

There were reports that detectives found a suicide note that led investigators to the location where the woman's body was found Tuesday. Nesbit would not confirm that report: "There are too many loose ends to make sense of it at this point."

Investigators also have another suspect in custody -- 45-year-old Louis Ray Perez. He was arrested Sunday for an unrelated weapon charge but is being questioned about Killgore's disappearance. Detectives said they suspect Perez was with Killgore just before she went missing. He was being held at San Diego Central Jail on $500,000 bail. His arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Nesbit said Perez had been "uncooperative and not completely forthcoming about his knowledge." The lieutenant would not comment on the nature of the missing woman's relationship with the serviceman.

Killgore filed for divorce last week, according to court records. Her husband, Cory, had been stationed at Camp Pendleton but has been serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He is reportedly on his way home due to his wife's disappearance.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.