Erin Corwin, 19 year-old - Pregnant military wife missing since June 28, 2014 - San Bernardino County, CA

How far was the mining shaft Rose of Peru from Twenty Nine Palms, CA??

Above link: 4/09/10
http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php/17135-Gold-Crown-Road-Mines

"... Gold Crown Road Mines

Jeep is depressed and moody, needs to get out and be rode hard.

I am going to explore the Old Dale Mining District Saturday and would welcome some company.

If anybody is interested post here and we can set up a meeting place in Twentynine Palms around 9:30. The road out to the mines is about 14 miles east of town.

This is a link to a trail report from another group that was out there last weekend and had a great time:
http://www.socalfjcruiserforums.com/...ead.php?t=5005.

A quote from their trip post:
"We will start on Gold Crown Road and Hwy 62. This should help us miss the worst part of the Brooklyn Mine road where body damage was almost certain. We will pass the OK, Virgina Dale, Gold Rose, Rose of Peru, Los Angeles, Gold Standard and Brooklyn mines.
Then as we turn back out of the area we will pass Sunset, Golden Egg, Duplex, and Mission mines.
That is a lot of mines, so there should be lots of stuff to see."

One of the participants rated some parts of the trail "moderate to difficult".

Mike ...."

"Authorities have not confirmed whether Corwin, who would have turned 20 in July, was pregnant at the time of her death. Officials say that there is "potential for more arrests," adding that other evidence was found in the shaft."

http://www.people.com/article/pregnant-woman-marine-wife-erin-corwin-found-dead

From earlier link:
http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_332012aa-2715-11e4-bcbf-0019bb2963f4.html

".... Located about 20 miles southeast of Twentynine Palms, the mine shaft is in a remote location difficult to reach even using four-wheel drive, Newport said. He credited the tireless work of sheriff’s volunteers who continued the search in the seven weeks since Corwin’s husband reported her missing June 29.

“It is a very, very difficult process and very time consuming, very draining on personnel,” Newport said. “Our volunteers for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department played such a large role in that. There is no way Erin would have been found without their assistance.”

Alessandra_Deux wrote:"Authorities have not confirmed whether Corwin, who would have turned 20 in July, was pregnant at the time of her death. Officials say that there is "potential for more arrests," adding that other evidence was found in the shaft."

http://www.people.com/article/pregnant-woman-marine-wife-erin-corwin-found-dead

I have to wonder what other evidence was located.....

Freckles wrote:Wow. Lots of links to follow up.
Good to see movement on the case.
While I would have preferred Erin was found alive and safe, in that terrain it would have been unlikely.

Kudos for the Marine Corps and that particular base, and the San Bernardino Sheriff's Dept for staying with this case.

They did a great job on finding Erin. There are hundreds of mines in the area; finding her was like looking for a needle in a haystack. It is extremely sad that this young girl met with such a terrible fate. I'm somewhat glad that she was found, this will give her family some kind of closure, at least they know where she is and the anguish and uncertainty is over. Now they can grieve ...

 

Marine's wife found dead in California mine shaft


This undated photo released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department shows 19-year-old Erin Corwin.

AP 4 hr ago | By BRIAN MELLEY and GILLIAN FLACCUS of Associated Press

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — Deep in a mine shaft in the California desert, the body of a pregnant wife of a U.S. Marine was discovered after a search of nearly two months.

Far off in Alaska, a man alleged to have been her lover was arrested on suspicion of homicide.

Authorities on Monday outlined the discovery of 19-year-old Erin Corwin and the arrest of 24-year-old Christopher Brandon Lee, who until recently was also a Marine.

The search for Corwin ended Saturday when her body was spotted with a video camera 140 feet down a mine shaft on federal land near her home in Twentynine Palms, where her husband was stationed, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said. He said deputies searched many of the 100 mine shafts in a 300 square mile area before zeroing in on right one.

Read more:

http://news.msn.com/crime-justice/marines-wife-found-dead-in-california-mine-shaft

"Electronics, volunteers were essential

Investigators said evidence from electronic devices helped searchers find Corwin’s body.

“There was a compilation of many electronic devices we used in this investigation that led us to Erin’s location,” Newport told the press. “It was very, very hard investigative work that led us to the potential location of Erin Corwin as well as the technology.”

http://www.hidesertstar.com/the_desert_trail/article_331a38aa-2713-11e4-8f97-0019bb2963f4.html

Erin Corwin's Body Found in Mine Shaft; Lover Arrested in Alaska

By KMIR News Staff

PALM DESERT, Ca. - The body of 20-year-old Erin Corwin was found Sunday 140 feet inside an old mine shaft in San Bernardino County.  The pregnant wife of a marine stationed at 29 Palms had been missing since June 28th.  Her alleged lover, 24-year-old Christopher Brandon Lee, was arrested Sunday night in Anchorage Alaska. Arrest records indicate he is being held in jail there pending extradition proceedings.

The Anchorage Police Department sent KMIR the following:

On Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. the Anchorage Police Department’s Special Assignment Unit along with the Anchorage Safe Streets Task Force assisted in the apprehension of 24-year-old Christopher Brandon Lee who had an extraditable warrant out of California. Lee has been charged with homicide by officials in San Bernardino County. Lee was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop and was transported to the Anchorage Jail. For further information on the case, please contact the San Bernardino County Sherriff’s Office or the FBI in Los Angeles.

Read more:

http://www.kmir.com/story/26307233/lover-of-missing-marine-wife-erin-corwin-arrested-in-alaska

Offender Name: CHRISTOPHER B LEE

Offender ID:680050
Date of Birth:09/12/1989
Age: 24
Race: White
Gender: Female  
Custody Status: In Custody
Location of Offender:Anchorage Jail
Scheduled Release Date:

https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/detailsAction.do?siteId=2001&agency=1&id=680050&searchType=offender

https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/searchResultsAction.do?searchType=offender&siteId=2001&lang_value=en&searchWhere=doc&doc=2001%7C1&id=&lastName=Lee&firstName=Christopher&dob=&ageRange=0&methodToCall=search

(Gender: Female? Is that a typo?)

Erin Corwin death: Christopher Lee charged with murder

Lorraine Whetstone, The Desert Sun  11:42 a.m. PDT August 19, 2014

A murder charge was filed Tuesday against Christopher Brandon Lee in the death of Marine wife Erin Corwin, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.

The DA's office also filed a special circumstance allegation of "lying in wait," increasing the potential penalty to life without parole or death.

Lee, 24, was arrested Sunday night in Alaska and is waiting extradition to California. He is due in court in Alaska at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for his initial hearing, according to the DA's office.

If Lee waives extradition, he can be returned to San Bernardino County immediately. If he fights extradition, it may take four to six weeks

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/19/christopher-lee-murder-charge-erin-corwin/14294995/

D.A. files murder charges against man accused of killing Erin Corwin

Christopher Brandon Lee is due in an Alaska courtroom later today

Rich Tarpening, Assignment Manager, Rich.Tarpening@kesq.com

POSTED: 08:37 AM PDT Aug 18, 2014  
UPDATED: 10:59 AM PDT Aug 19, 2014

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Update: Today District Attorney Michael Ramos announced the filing of murder charges against 24-year-old Christopher Brandon Lee who is charged with killing 19-year-old Erin Corwin.

The District Attorney's Office also filed the special circumstance allegation of "lying in wait," increasing the potential penalty to life without parole or death.   "The decision regarding which penalty will be sought will be made after a full review of the facts and evidence in the case," District Attorney Michael Ramos said.

~Snipped~

This case was investigated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the investigation is ongoing. Deputy District Attorney Sean Daugherty is prosecuting the case.

"Once again, we are faced with a terrible crime that shows absolutely no regard for the value of human life," Ramos said. "Make no mistake that this office will fight to see that justice is carried out for our victim and her family."

Read more:

http://www.kesq.com/news/sb-county-sheriff-calls-news-conf-today-to-update-corwin-case/27584566

SUPERIOR COURT OF CAL
IFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
VICTORVILLE DISTRICT

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Plaintiff

vs. Christopher Brandon Lee  
Defendant

COURT CASE NO      
FELONY COMPLAINT  
DA CASE NO  2014-00-0042676  

The undersigned is informed and believes that:
                                                                             COUNT 1  
On or about June 28, 2014, in the above named judicial district, the crime of MURDER, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 187(a), a felony, was committed by Christopher Brandon Lee, who did unlawfully, and with malice aforethought murder Erin Corwin , a human being.  
 
"NOTICE:   The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 1192.7(c) and a violent felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.5(c)."  

"NOTICE:  Conviction of this offense will require you to provide specimens and samples pursuant to Penal Code section 296.  Willful refusal to provide the specimens and samples is a crime."  It is further alleged as to count(s) 1 that the murder of Erin Corwin  was  committed by defendant(s) Christopher Brandon Lee and that the defendant(s) intentionally killed the victim by means of lying in wait, within the meaning of Penal Code Section 190.2(a)(15).  
                                                                               Page 1

*****

Complaint DA CASE NO: 2014-00-0042676

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT AND DEFENDANT’S ATTORNEY
Pursuant to Penal Code Sections 1054.5.(b), the People are hereby informally requesting that defense counsel provide discovery to the People as required by Penal Code Section 1054.3.

NOTICE TO ATTORNEY
The materials accompanying this notice may include information about witnesses.  If so, these materials are disclosed to you pursuant to Penal Code section 1054.2 which provides:  "No attorney may disclose or permit to be disclosed to a defendant the address or telephone number of a victim or witness whose name is disclosed to the attorney pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1054.1 unless specifically permitted to do so by the court after a hearing and a showing of good cause."  

I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT THIS COMPLAINT CONSISTS OF 1 COUNT(S).

Executed at Victorville, California, on August 19, 2014.

Sean Daugherty Sean Daugherty DECLARANT AND COMPLAINANT  

Agency:  Morongo Basin Sheriff Station
Prelim Est.  00:00  
Defendant Christopher Brandon Lee  
Birth Date 09/12/1989  
Booking No.
CII No. A34472058  
NCIC

                                                                                   Page 2

*****

http://www.sbcountyda.org/Newsroom/PressReleases/2014/PressReleasesJanuary2014/DAFilesMurderChargeinErinCorwinCase.aspx

"The former Marine accused of killing Erin Corwin admitted searching the Internet for advice on how to dispose of a body, and .22-caliber cartridge casings and pieces of rebar at the mine shaft where she was found matched those found in his Jeep, according to an arrest warrant filed in California Superior Court.

Christopher Brandon Lee also asked a witness about the best way to dispose of a body and told investigators he was collecting tires the morning Corwin disappeared. A tire also was found at the mine shaft."

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/19/christopher-lee-murder-charge-erin-corwin/14294995/

TWENTYNINE PALMS: Charges filed in Erin Corwin slaying

BY PETER SUROWSKI AND RICHARD BROOKS / STAFF WRITERS
Published: Aug. 19, 2014 Updated: 5:37 p.m.

~Snipped~

Her body was found more than 125 feet down an abandoned mine shaft near the national park on Saturday, Aug. 16, according to the synopsis. Also found at the scene were a tire, expended .22-caliber cartridge casings and pieces of rebar.

Markings on the cartridge casings were consistent with the markings on .22-caliber casings found in Lee's vehicle and home, according to the sheriff's synopsis.

"It is believed Lee picked Corwin up from the location where her vehicle was located," the synopsis concludes. "Such evidence tends to lead detectives to believe that Lee was the last person to have contact with Corwin at the time of her disappearance."

Lee was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 17, in Anchorage, Alaska, the release stated. He failed to waive extradition and is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

Read more:

http://www.pe.com/articles/corwin-748492-erin-sheriff.html

http://www.pe.com/articles/corwin-748492-erin-sheriff.html#timeline

Sheriff: Ex-Marine inquired about body disposal

Posted: Aug 19, 2014 5:49 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 19, 2014 10:09 PM CDT

Video Report By Matt Johnson, Reporter


(Click on the link below to watch the video)

~Snipped~

Lee appeared in an Anchorage Jail court Tuesday afternoon.  He declined to waive his right to an extradition hearing before speaking with his attorney.  He will be back in court next week to name an attorney of record.  A decision on waiving extradition should be made at that time.  The judge set a cash bail at $2 million.

Lee's wife, Nichole, and his mother attended Tuesday's court hearing but declined to comment.  

Read more:

http://www.cbs8.com/story/26320600/sheriff-ex-marine-inquired-about-body-disposal

Since the murder occurred while he was still enlisted in the Marine Corps:
I have to wonder if the Marines will now change his honorable discharge to a dishonorable one.He could possibly face charges from the Marine Corps and disciplinary actions as well. Not double jeopardy as it would be two different types of court actions... conduct unbecoming of a Marine would be the least of it...

"His wife, Nichole Lee is a "person of interest" in the investigation, according to San Bernardino County sheriff's officials.

"We are looking at that to see what his wife's role actually was," District Attorney Michael Ramos said during an interview on Los Angeles-based "The John and Ken Show." "As you know, there's a penal code section that we can charge individuals with assisting or covering up serious crimes such as this, so we are investigating that. They are doing that part of the investigation right now."

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/19/christopher-lee-murder-charge-erin-corwin/14294995/?sf30058594=%5B%271%27%5D

DA: Christopher Lee could face 2nd murder charge

Lorraine Whetstone, The Desert Sun  5:18 p.m. PDT August 20, 2014

California law is very clear about the murder of an unborn child, San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos told The Desert Sun on Wednesday.

In addition to a murder charge for the death of the mother, a murder charge can be filed for an unborn child of just four to six weeks development.

Whether Erin Corwin, whose body was found 140 feet down a mine shaft Saturday in the Rose of Peru Mining District east of Joshua Tree National Park, was pregnant and how pregnant is an ongoing "part of the investigation," Ramos said. The additional charge "is a possibility."

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/20/erin-corwin-christopher-lee/14365341/

Corwin murder suspect waives extradition process

24-year-old Christopher Lee to return to California

KESQ & CBS Local 2 News Staff, newsline3@kesq.com
Chris Clough, News Producer - CBS Local 2, christopher.clough@kesq.com

POSTED: 10:21 AM PDT Aug 21, 2014  
UPDATED: 10:21 AM PDT Aug 21, 2014

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Murder suspect Christopher Lee has decided to waive the extradition process back to San Bernardino County to face charges for the death of his former neighbor and alleged lover Erin Corwin.

The decision was made at a hearing in Anchorage Thursday morning.

Reporters with KTVA tell us that now it's just a matter of San Bernardino County authorities coming to pick him up.

Read more:

http://www.kesq.com/news/corwin-murder-suspect-waives-extradition-process/27661664

Erin Corwin death: Christopher Lee waives extradition process

Elizabeth Nelson, Palm Springs  2:15 p.m. PDT August 21, 2014

Lee will return to California to face first-degree murder charge

Christopher Lee, the former Marine accused of killing 19-year-old Erin Corwin and dumping her body in a high desert mine shaft, will return to California to face charges in her death.

~Snipped~

Investigators are in Alaska, said Cynthia Bachman with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, and will bring Lee back to California within a few days.

Lee faces a charge of first-degree murder with special circumstance allegation of "lying in wait" and is eligible for the death penalty.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/21/erin-corwin-christopher-lee-alaska-court-extradition/14389327/

Desert mines made for tough Erin Corwin search

Denise Goolsby, The Desert Sun  9:24 p.m. PDT August 21, 2014


Rose of Peru Mine in the Old Dale Mining District, north of the border of Joshua Tree National Park. Jan. 29, 2011.  Underground Explorers (Mike Schriber)

Erin Corwin's body was found 140 feet down an old gold mine shaft in the remote creosote-dotted wilderness just north of the Joshua Tree National Park boundary. But the spot where her body landed — equivalent to about a 14-floor fall — was far from the very bottom of the Rose of Peru mine, which is estimated to be at least 250 feet deep.

The mine where Christopher Lee is accused of dumping the body of Corwin, the 19-year-old wife of Marine Cpl. Jonathan Corwin, is technically accessible from Gold Crown Road off of Highway 62, southeast of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, but it's a hard slog. The dirt road travels at least 10 miles over rough, rocky and sandy terrain with frequent deep dips carved into the unforgiving hillside.

~Snipped~

Martinez said Corwin's body was discovered on a "false floor" in the mine shaft, where debris collects in one area and blocks the rest of the passage to the bottom of the mine.

"Miss Corwin's body landed on that debris field," she said, adding that Corwin's body could have fallen much further. "We couldn't even see how deep it went."

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2014/08/21/erin-corwin-death-high-desert-mine-shaft/14392157/

Gold miner shows mine shaft where Erin Corwin's body was found (Video)

Erin Corwin's body found in Rose of Peru mine near Joshua Tree

Laura Yanez, KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2 Reporter, Laura.Yanez@cbslocal2.com

POSTED: 07:10 PM PDT Aug 21, 2014  
UPDATED: 07:17 PM PDT Aug 21, 2014


Erin Corwin's body found in Rose of Peru mine near Joshua Tree

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. - Tom Koch drives nearly two dozen miles from his home in Twentynine Palms to the Dale Group Mining District near Joshua Tree to look for gold.

He took us along for the nearly two-hour, slow, bumpy and often dangerous ride through the Mojave Desert to the Rose of Peru mine Thursday. It's a mine that's southeast of Twentynine Palms, one Koch hadn't visited in almost seven years.

"This last mile is really nasty," said Koch. "It's out here in the middle of nowhere. We're in no man's land."

About 140 feet down the old, dark mine shaft is where the search for Erin Corwin, 19, ended. There were fresh scuff marks from equipment and tools used by rescue crews when they recovered her body Sunday night.

Read more:

http://www.kesq.com/news/gold-miner-shows-deep-mine-shaft-where-erin-corwins-body-was-found/27674404

KMIR NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Attorney for Erin Corwin's Accused Murderer Speaks

Posted: Aug 21, 2014 7:30 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2014 7:52 PM CDT

By Gitzel Puente



PALM DESERT, Ca. - Christopher Brandon Lee's attorney spoke to KMIR exclusively regarding the murder case of Erin Corwin.

Attorney David Kaloyanides advised Lee to waive his extradition rights to speed up the legal hearings in order to look at the evidence carefully and legal strategies.

Lee will be extradited in the next few days, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Once he arrives in California, Lee will most likely be booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Video @ Link:

http://www.kmir.com/story/26342281/exclusive-interview-with-lees-attorney-in-erin-corwin-case

Waiving extradition, suspect in Marine wife murder will be transported to California

Jerzy Shedlock | August 21, 2014

During a Thursday morning hearing at the Anchorage Correctional Complex courtroom, ex-Marine Christopher Brandon Lee waived his rights to fight extradition to California, where he’s accused of murdering 19-year-old Erin Corwin.

Assistant District Attorney Heather Nobrega said Lee, 24, made the decision after consulting with his attorney in California. The state of California will pay for his transfer, she said.

~Snipped~

Defendants wanted for charges in other states generally choose to waive extradition rights, Nobrega said.

“They sit here in jail and nothing happens with the case,” she said. “Their speedy trial rights aren’t started yet because they’re not in the state where they’re facing the charges.”

Deputy District Attorney Clint Campion said law enforcement personnel from San Bernardino are coordinating with Alaska officials. He expects that by the weekend Lee will be on his way back to California.

~Snipped~

The state charged Lee with being a fugitive from justice. Nobrega requested bail be set at $2 million “cash only,” which the court granted. She said once it’s determined that Lee is no longer housed at the Anchorage jail and has left the state, that charge will be dismissed.

Read more:

http://www.adn.com/article/20140821/waiving-extradition-suspect-marine-wife-murder-will-be-transported-california

Lee, 24, initially told authorities in Alaska he wanted an attorney to fight the process of extradition that would bring him back to California, but Anchorage Deputy District Attorney Clint Campion said Lee seems to have changed his mind.

The decision could avoid weeks of court dates and legal meetings to get the accused murder back into the state where he allegedly killed 19-year-old Corwin, then dumped her body 140 feet down a mineshaft near the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base.

http://www.kesq.com/news/corwin-murder-suspect-waives-extradition-process/27661664

Erin Corwin: Christopher Lee's legal tangle

Elizabeth Nelson, PalmSprings  5:03 p.m. PDT August 22, 2014

Christopher Lee, who has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 19-year-old Marine wife Erin Corwin, is returning to California this weekend to face those charges where they were filed: San Bernardino County.

But several readers have questioned who actually has jurisdiction in the case because of a couple of complicating factors: Corwin's body was found in a mine shaft on federal land owned by the Bureau of Land Management and, if Corwin was killed shortly after her disappearance the crime would have been committed while Lee was still an active duty Marine. He didn't receive his honorable discharge until July 7.

So can Lee be prosecuted by the federal government because 1. the body was found on BLM land or, 2. Because he was active duty at the time of the crime?

On Friday, I spoke with Rebecca Lonergan, a professor at the USC School of Law and a former state and federal criminal prosecutor. She answered both questions and, it turns out, the answers are closely related.

Read on to find out why Longergan thinks neither the federal government nor the Marines will fight for the chance to bring charges against Lee.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/22/christopher-lee-legal-questions-erin-corwin-murder/14464983/

Christopher Lee's attorney discusses Erin Corwin case

Liz Nelson, The Desert Sun  5:41 p.m. PDT August 22, 2014

Not even the lawyer representing Christopher Brandon Lee, who is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 19-year-old Marine wife Erin Corwin, knows when his client will return to California.

"I won't know until he's actually in the jurisdiction," Chino-based attorney David Kaloyanides said in a Friday interview with The Desert Sun.

"It's all for security purposes they don't tell anyone," Kaloyanides added. "I was speaking with the (district attorney) down here and he said he wouldn't even know until he's actually here."

~Snipped~

Kaloyanides has been representing Lee since the former Marine was arrested on July 4 for possession of a destructive device, a potato launcher.

He said Friday that both Christopher and wife Nichole Lee had been monitoring the police investigation of the Corwin case closely since the sheriff's department made it "very clear" that Lee was their prime suspect.

But he said they were caught off-guard by an Affidavit of Probable Cause obtained by The Desert Sun on July 21.

"We were very surprised," said Kaloyanides of the inner workings of the case laid out in the document.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/22/christopher-lee-erin-corwin/14467821/

Offender Name: CHRISTOPHER B LEE

Offender ID:680050
Date of Birth:09/12/1989
Age: 24
Race: White
Gender: Male

Custody Status: Out of Custody
Date: 08/24/2014
Reason: Extradited
Scheduled Release Date:08/24/2014

https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/detailsAction.do?siteId=2001&agency=1&id=680050&searchType=offender

Erin Corwin vigil to take place Monday

Brett Kelman and Denise Goolsby, The Desert Sun  11:05 p.m. PDT August 23, 2014

There will be a candlelight vigil for Erin Corwin from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at Luckie Park, on the corner of Utah Trail and Joe Davis Road in Twentynine Palms, Corwin's husband told The Desert Sun Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in memory of Erin, "for the San Bernardino Search and Rescue team who brought her home," a statement by the vigil organizers said.

"Wear purple in honor of Erin," the statement added. "This will be a celebration of her life and those she loved."

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/23/erin-corwin-candlelight-vigil-luckie-park/14499021/

Erin Corwin petition created to close old mines

Denise Goolsby, The Desert Sun  11:04 p.m. PDT August 23, 2014

A member of the "Where is Erin" Facebook page is petitioning the Bureau of Land Management to close old, abandoned vertical mine shafts in California, beginning with mines in the area where Corwin's body was recovered on Aug. 17.

Lorrie Stanley of Hawkins, Texas, is asking people to sign a petition that she created on the website change.org.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/24/erin-corwin-close-abandoned-mines-petition/14511985/

San Bernardino County
Sheriff Department

Inmate Information

Booking #: 1408301353
Name: LEE, CHRISTOPHE BRANDON
Alias:
DOB: 09/12/1989
Weight: 215 lbs

Sex: MALE
Age: 24
Height: 5'09"
Eyes: BROWN
Hair: BLACK

Arrest Information

Arrest Date: 08/25/2014 00:03
Bail: INELIGIBLE
Arrest Location: ANCHORAGE AK
Arrest Agency: SPECIAL INVESTIG

Current Housing Information

Housing Facility: MORONGO BASIN STATION  

---------

Charges

Case #: FMB1400414
Charge: PC187(A) * DESCRIPTION UNAVAILABLE *
Court Date: 08/26/2014 1330 Dept: M2
Status/Bail: NO BAIL

Read more:

http://web.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/bookingsearch/bookingsearch.aspx

Christopher Brandon Lee was extradited from Anchorage, Alaska, to San Bernardino, California. He is being held in the Morongo Basin Station. His next court date is scheduled for tomorrow, August 26, 2014.

See above information.

General Information

Address

Joshua Tree District
6527 White Feather Road
Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Read more:

http://www.sb-court.org/Locations/JoshuaTree.aspx

-----------------------

Morongo Superior Court

Address: 6527 WHITE FEATHER RD
JOSHUA TREE, CA 92252
Phone: (760) 366-4107

http://web.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/bookingsearch/bookingsearch.aspx

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Erin Corwin petition created to close old mines

Denise Goolsby, The Desert Sun  11:04 p.m. PDT August 23, 2014

A member of the "Where is Erin" Facebook page is petitioning the Bureau of Land Management to close old, abandoned vertical mine shafts in California, beginning with mines in the area where Corwin's body was recovered on Aug. 17.

Lorrie Stanley of Hawkins, Texas, is asking people to sign a petition that she created on the website change.org.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/24/erin-corwin-close-abandoned-mines-petition/14511985/

What is the logic to keeping these open? I am being serious when I inquire as to whether there is a function or purpose in keeping the shafts open.... Volunteers, prisoners, Marines.... all a viable work force. But there might be a reason to keep the shafts unfilled....

IIRC, a little girl in TX fell down an old shaft. Shannon? She was less than 2 yrs old IIRC....She was saved. TX started filling the old shafts with.... shredded magazines and colored news' print. Colored media and slick print is very hard to recycle. It has a high clay content which adds to the color retention and slick appearance. That gums up the recycling machines.... Anyway, TX started to fill up the old shafts with shredded magazines as the clay content would naturally degraded back into the ground....

Erin Corwin: Marine husband Jon Corwin has 'closure'

Brett Kelman, The (Palm Springs, Calif.) Desert Sun  1:59 a.m. EDT August 26, 2014


Family, friends, fellow Marines, community members, and search and rescue personnel hold hands in a circle as a prayer is said during a vigil to remember Erin Corwin, which was held at Luckie Park in Twentynine Palms, Calif. on Monday, August 25, 2014. (Photo: Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun)

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — As the search dragged on and on, Jonathan Corwin clung to a dark kind of hope.

His wife, Erin, had been missing for weeks. She had vanished without explanation, launching a mystery in the High Desert, where vast empty spaces remain wild and dangerous.

And while Jonathan never lost hope that Erin would be found, he admitted to himself that she would not be found alive. Answers were the best he could hope for. When her body was finally discovered, crumpled in an abandoned mineshaft, Jonathan felt more relief than loss.

"I had some hope, but overall, I expected the worst. It's basically the only thing you can do after so much time," Jonathan Corwin said Monday, during an exclusive interview with The Desert Sun. "I have closure now. I know she is in heaven, now. She is in a better place, in no more pain."

Read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/26/erin-corwin-husband-jon--closure/14606791/

CASE REPORT

Case FMB1400414 Defendant 4218318 LEE , CHRISTOPHER BRANDON  

Filed Charges

Count: 1
Charge:PC 187(A)
Severity: F
Description Violation: Murder
Date: 06/28/2014
Plea: N/A
Status: Active

 
Other Charges  

Count:999  
Charge:PC 1192.7(C)  
Severity: Z  
Description: SERIOUS FELONY ADVISAL  
Date:06/28/2014  
Plea: N/A
Status:

Count: 999
Charge: PC 296
Severity: Z
Description Violation:  REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SPECIMENS, SAMPLES & PRINTS
Date: 06/28/2014
Plea: N/A
Status:  

http://openaccess.sb-court.org/OpenAccess/CRIMINAL/DefendantCharges.asp?courtcode=X&defnbr=4218318&casenumber=FMB1400414&defseq=1&otnmseq=0&dsn=

CASE REPORT

Case FMB1400414 Defendant 4218318 LEE , CHRISTOPHER BRANDON - Probation  

Probation Has Not Been Granted On This Case For This Defendant.

Case FMB1400414 Defendant 4218318 LEE , CHRISTOPHER BRANDON - Actions/Minutes  

Action Date | Action Text

08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST FOR KESQ GRANTED      
08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST FOR HI DESERT STAR GRANTED      
08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST FOR Z1077 GRANTED      
08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST FROM THE DESERT SUN GRANTED      
08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST FROM KESQ-TV CH 3 RECEIVED      
08/25/2014  FORWARDED TO JUDGE CORTEZ      
08/25/2014  FORWARDED TO JUDGE CORTEZ      
08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST RECD FROM MORONGO BASIN BROADCASTIN      
08/25/2014  MEDIA REQUEST TO PHOTOGRAPH RECORD OR BROADCAST      
08/25/2014  FROM HI DESERT STAR FORWARDED TO JUDGE CORTEZ      
08/19/2014  EFILE DA INTERFACE ENTRY

http://openaccess.sb-court.org/OpenAccess/CRIMINAL/criminalcasereport.asp?casenumber=FMB1400414&courtcode=X&defnbr=4218318&defseq=1&otnmseq=0&dsn=&fmt=auto

Christopher Lee back in San Bernardino

Colin Atagi, PalmSprings  9 a.m. PDT August 25, 2014

Christopher Lee, who is the suspect in the death of Marine wife Erin Corwin, has returned to California and is scheduled to appear in San Bernardino County Superior Court Tuesday, jail records show.

He was taken into custody at 12:03 a.m. Monday and his court appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Joshua Tree courthouse, 6527 White Feather Road.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/25/christopher-lee-san-bernardino/14560127/

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Christopher Lee back in San Bernardino

Colin Atagi, PalmSprings  9 a.m. PDT August 25, 2014

Christopher Lee, who is the suspect in the death of Marine wife Erin Corwin, has returned to California and is scheduled to appear in San Bernardino County Superior Court Tuesday, jail records show.

He was taken into custody at 12:03 a.m. Monday and his court appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Joshua Tree courthouse, 6527 White Feather Road.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/25/christopher-lee-san-bernardino/14560127/

Thanks. Will media be allowed in?

@Freckles:

Christopher Brandon Lee Arraignment - 1:30pm PST

The following news channel will be there covering the arraignment LIVE:

http://m.kesq.com/watch-live-news-channel-3-cbs-local-2-news/23569678

Brett Kelman @TDSbrettkelman · 8m

Journalists primed outside courtroom, ready for arraignment of Chris Lee, #erincorwin murder suspect. Will tweet updates ASAP. @MyDesert

https://twitter.com/MyDesert

Corwin murder suspect pleads not guilty

Christopher Brandon Lee, 24, arraigned Tuesday afternoon

Laura Yanez, KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2 Reporter, Laura.Yanez@cbslocal2.com
PJ Edgell, Digital Content Director, patrick.edgell@kesq.com

POSTED: 10:35 AM PDT Aug 26, 2014  
UPDATED: 01:39 PM PDT Aug 26, 2014

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. - The man charged with murdering 19-year-old Erin Corwin made his first appearance in Joshua Tree Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.

Christopher Brandon Lee, 24, was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. He plead not guilty to murder charges.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 were in the courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Also in attendance was Erin's husband, Marine Corporal Jon Corwin, and additional family and friends.

Read more:

http://www.kesq.com/news/corwin-murder-suspect-pleads-not-guilty/27735166

MINUTES

Case FMB1400414 Defendant 4218318 LEE , CHRISTOPHER BRANDON

Action: IN CUSTODY ARRAIGNMENT    
Date: 08/26/2014  
Time: 1:30 PM
Division: M2  
Hearing Status: DISPOSED


RODNEY A CORTEZ, J-JUDGE

CLERK: DEBORAH HAGEDORN

CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER: CO-CONNIE OZBURN CSR# CO-10031

BAILIFF TIM BROWN

-

APPEARANCES

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY SEAN DAUGHERTY PRESENT.

ATTORNEY DAVID J.P. KALOYANIDES PRESENT.

DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY.

-

PROCEEDINGS

ACTION CAME ON FOR ARRAIGNMENT

ARREST WARRANT RECALLED.

ADVISAL OF RIGHTS SIGNED BY DEFENDANT AND FILED.

FINGERPRINT FORM FILED.

COPY OF COMPLAINT GIVEN TO DEFENDANT.

DEFENDANTS ASSERTION TO FIFTH AND SIXTH

AMENDMENT RIGHTS FILED.

DEFENDANT GIVES TRUE NAME AS CHARGED.

DEFENDANT ARRAIGNED.

ATTORNEY DAVID J.P. KALOYANIDES RETAINED.

DEFENSE COUNSEL WAIVES FORMAL READING AND RESERVES

ALL MOTIONS.

DEFENSE COUNSELS ORAL MOTION TO EXONERATE

BAIL BOND NUMBER T25-50472329 IS GRANTED.

BAIL BOND WAS FILED IN OTHER MATTER.

-

PLEA INFORMATION

DEFENDANT PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ALL COUNTS.

DEFENDANT DENIES SPECIAL ALLEGATIONS.

-

HEARINGS

PRE-PRELIMINARY HEARING SET FOR 09/16/2014 AT 8:30 IN DEPARTMENT M2.

DEFENDANT ORDERED TO APPEAR ON HEARING DATE.

-

TIME WAIVERS

DEFENDANT WAIVES TIME TO 09/16/2014 PLUS 60 DAYS.

TIME RUNS ON 11/17/2014.

-

CUSTODY STATUS

CASE CUSTODY - IN CUSTODY

BAIL SET AT $0.00, NO BAIL; COMMITMENT PENDING ISSUED.

COMMITMENT ISSUED (PENDING)

============= MINUTE ORDER END ================

http://openaccess.sb-court.org/OpenAccess/CRIMINAL/minute.asp?courtcode=X&casenumber=FMB1400414&defnbr=4218318&defseq=1&otnmseq=0&dsn=&actioncode=ARRCY&actiondate=20140826&actiontime=13.3

Christopher Lee pleads not guilty to Erin Corwin's murder


Christopher Brandon Lee, 24, talks with his attorney, David Kaloyanides, in a Joshua Tree courtroom Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Alexis Cubit, Hi-Desert Star

Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 3:05 pm |  Updated: 3:17 pm, Tue Aug 26, 2014.  

By Alexis Cubit, Hi-Desert Star    

JOSHUA TREE — Christopher Brandon Lee, 24, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 19-year-old Erin Corwin at his arraignment Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 26, in Joshua Tree.

Lee also denied the special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait to commit the murder; if a jury were to find that allegation true, Lee would face a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.

Judge Rodney Cortez said Lee would not be allowed to pay bail to be released from jail because of the special allegation.

Read more:

http://www.hidesertstar.com/the_desert_trail/news/article_ce08116a-2d6d-11e4-ae9e-001a4bcf887a.html

Erin Corwin death: Christopher Lee pleads not guilty (Video)

Brett Kelman, The Desert Sun  6:07 p.m. PDT August 26, 2014


Christopher Lee who was arrested for the death of Erin Corwin enters the courthouse in Joshua Tree to enter a not guilty plea for his arraignment on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. (Photo: Richard Lui The Desert Sun Richard Lui/The Desert Sun)

~Snipped~

Lee's attorney, David Kaloyanides pleaded not guilty on his client's behalf. During a brief interview outside the courthouse, Kaloyanides said he expected Lee's court case to last "a long time."

"It's going to take a while, in a case of this magnitude, to get any information from the DA's office, so we can evaluate the evidence is," Kaloyanides said. "There are a lot of different angles to investigate, and (we need) to see what they have."

Lee's wife, Nichole, did not attend the arraignment hearing. Erin's husband, Marine Cpl. Jonathan Corwin, sat quietly in the back of the room with his father Tom.

Lee is schedule to return to court for another hearing on Sept. 16.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/08/26/erin-corwin-christopher-lee-court-plea/14646713/

----------------------------

Erin Corwin case: Christopher Lee hearing rescheduled

Colin Atagi, The Desert Sun 5:33 p.m. PDT September 16, 2014

A court appearance was rescheduled Tuesday so an attorney could review hundreds of pages of evidence involving his client, a former High Desert Marine suspected of killing another Marine's wife and dumping her body into a mine shaft.

Christopher Lee appeared in San Bernardino County Superior Court in Joshua Tree as a formality in advance of a preliminary hearing, but discussions were pushed back to Oct. 29.

Read more:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2014/09/16/christopher-lee-erin-corwin/15723159/

Husband speaks out.
Erin moved to High Desert while he was deployed.
Last fall, they took the apartment next to Lee.
He knew of the affair last March but believed it was over.
Had regarded CL as a close friend. Gone off roading with him.
Said Erin and CL's wife would volunteer at the horse ranch.

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2014/08/26/jonathan-corwin-closure-now-erin-corwin-vigil/14606557/

This is an older article, but I hadn't seen this info posted yet (I apologize if it was):

Erin Corwin Murder: Suspected Killer Admits He Searched for 'How to Dispose' of Body
08/23/2014 03:00PM


Christopher Lee, the former Marine accused of murdering Erin Corwin, told investigators that he searched the Internet for "how to dispose of a human body," arrest records reveal.

...Several days before her disappearance, Corwin, 19, told a friend that she and Lee were planning on taking a "special" trip together, according to court documents.

An additional murder charge might be filed against Lee pending the outcome of Corwin's autopsy, which won't be finalized for the next four to six weeks.


Read more:  http://www.people.com/article/christopher-lee-erin-corwin-murder-dispose-human-body

Erin Corwin's family to hold candlelight vigil tonight
WBIR Staff, WBIR 10:44 a.m. EDT September 19, 2014

The family of Erin Corwin has organized a candlelight vigil in her honor on Friday night.

The vigil will be held at the East Tennessee Riding Club at 470 Tuskegee Drive in Oak Ridge. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.


Read more:  http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/oak-ridge-anderson/2014/09/19/erin-corwin-candlelight-vigil/15876869/

Vigil held for Erin Corwin in Oak Ridge

Posted: Sep 19, 2014 10:22 PM CDT


Erin Corwin Vigil
Friends and family of Oak Ridge native, Erin Corwin, remembered her through a vigil at a place she considered her second home.

By CAMERON TAYLOR
6 News Reporter

OAK RIDGE (WATE) - Friends and family of Oak Ridge native, Erin Corwin, remembered her through a vigil at a place she considered her second home. About a year ago, Corwin moved to California with her husband who is a marine. She disappeared back in June and search teams found her body in a mine shaft after weeks of looking for her.

With pens in hand, friends and family of Erin Corwin wrote about their favorite memories with Erin. Her vigil was at the East Tennessee Riding Club in Oak Ridge where Erin rode horses for several years.

Family members told 6 News that the support from the community is comforting, but the loss of Erin is still raw to them.


Lore Heavilin

"I guess the way I would describe it is we are on an emotional roller coaster. One minute you feel like this can't be true and then reality hits and you fall apart," said Lore Heavilin, Corwin's mother.

Read more:

http://www.wate.com/story/26582205/vigil-held-for-erin-corwin-in-oak-ridge

Read more:

http://www.wate.com/story/26582205/vigil-held-for-erin-corwin-in-oak-ridge