Alleged Lover Of Missing Wife Of US Marine Arrested In Alaska
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com/AP) — The alleged lover of the pregnant missing wife of a U.S. Marine based in Southern California has been arrested in Alaska on a federal warrant for murder.
KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports Cpl. Christopher Brandon Lee, 24, was arrested at 10 p.m. Sunday in Anchorage.
Alleged Lover Of Missing Wife Of US Marine Arrested In Alaska
After an 8-week search of approximately 300 square miles, the body of 19-year-old Erin Corwin was discovered Saturday night in a 140-foot mine shaft in Joshua Tree, San Bernardino County officials said. A forensic odontologist positively identified Corwin through dental records.
San Bernardino County Homicide investigator Travis Newport credited the effort of all Sheriff's personnel in located Corwin's body.
"It is a very, very difficult process and is very time-consuming, very draining on personnel, and our volunteers for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department played such a large role in that," said Newport. "There is no way that Erin probably would've been located without their assistance.
"An autopsy was conducted today and the manner of death has been determined to be homicide," officials said.
Court papers show Lee was Corwin's lover and that she disappeared June 28 after leaving her Twentynine Palms home.
Corwin had planned to meet Lee for a hunting trip. Marine Cpl. Jonathan Corwin reported his wife missing the next day.
Lee was arrested July 4 after a search warrant was served at a home in Yucca Valley and then released on bail two days later, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
One day later, he was honorably discharged after serving for six years in the Marine Corps, the Desert Sun reported.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney will file official charges against Lee in the next 48 hours.
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