Christopher Lee, U.S. Marine Corps, and Erin Corwin

Marine Corps spouse Erin Corwin, 19, was reported missing on June 29, 2014 by her husband who was stationed at Camp Pendleton near Twentynine Palms in California. After an extensive investigation and search, Erin’s body was found in an abandoned mine shaft on August 16th, 2014. During the investigation, authorities learned that Erin was having an affair with another Marine. This Marine was identified as Christopher Lee, 29, who was arrested in Alaska after Erin’s body was recovered from the mine shaft. Christopher admitted that he killed Erin but said it was because he became angry after she confessed to molesting his daughter.

The prosecution theorized he killed her to silence her and hide the pregnancy from his wife. He tricked her into believing that he was going to propose to her and instead he approached Erin from behind and strangled her for at least five minutes with a garrote made up of two pieces of rebar and a cord. After Lee was satisfied Erin was dead, he dragged her body to a mine shaft in the desert and pushed her in head first. Christopher Lee was found guilty of first-degree murder by civilian authorities and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In the News:

Investigators are searching for the beautiful, pregnant wife of a U.S. marine corporal who was last seen over a week ago. 19-year-old Erin Corwin was reportedly last seen leaving her Twentynine Palms, CA home around 7 a.m. on June 28 to go to nearby Joshua Tree National Park. Her husband of a year and a half Jonathan reported her missing the next day. Days after she disappeared, Erin’s mother Lore Heavilin found out that her daughter was about 3 months pregnant. -HLN (July 7, 2014)

An eyewitness spoke out Wednesday, describing the last time he saw the pregnant Marine wife who’s been missing for more than two weeks.Michael Beasley said he saw Erin Corwin get into a red car with another man and drive away. He added that it didn’t appear she was being forced into the car in any way.Corwin was last seen on June 28 leaving a home she shares with her husband, headed to Joshua Tree National Park. Her husband, Lance Cpl. Jonathan Corwin, reported her missing a day later when she never returned. -HLN (July 16, 2014)

According to a new search warrant affidavit released this week, homicide detectives now believe that — on the day she vanished — missing Marine wife Erin Corwin went on a day trip with a neighbor and ex-Marine whom she was romantically involved with. -HLN (July 22, 2014)

New police documents reveal Erin Corwin was having an affair with her married neighbor and told her friend the two were spending the day together when she went missing. -HLN (July 22, 2014)

Erin Corwin was last seen leaving her home on June 28, and was reportedly heading to Joshua Tree National Park. -HLN (July 22, 2014)

Following the discovery of Erin Corwin’s remains, friends and family father to honor her memory and begin healing. -WATE 6 On Your Side (September 19, 2014)

Part 1: Erin Corwin vanished after having a miscarriage and growing distant from her husband. She was allegedly pregnant at the time of her disappearance. -Crime Watch Daily (May 3, 2017)

Part 2: Erin Corwin vanished after having a miscarriage and growing distant from her husband. She was allegedly pregnant at the time of her disappearance. -Crime Watch Daily (May 3, 2017)

Part 3: Erin Corwin vanished after having a miscarriage and growing distant from her husband. She was allegedly pregnant at the time of her disappearance. -Crime Watch Daily (May 3, 2017)

Dateline (NBC):

When the 19-year old wife of a Marine vanishes without a trace in the California desert, investigators launch a massive search. They soon uncover a secret love triangle and a mystery with multiple suspects. -The Last Day, Dateline (December 1, 2016)

48 Hours (CBS):

Tonight’s episode of “48 Hours: NCIS” takes you inside the real-life investigation of a 19-year-old Marine wife who vanished in the desert. “The Marine’s Wife” uncovers the story of Erin Corwin and her disappearance.  – CBS News (June 12, 2018)

MJFA Links:
Erin Corwin Reported Missing in California; Former Twentynine Palms Marine Christopher Lee Convicted of Pre-Meditated Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (June 29, 2014)
Dateline NBC Premiered ‘The Last Day’: Twentynine Palms Marine Christopher Lee Lured Erin Corwin to the Joshua Tree National Park Under False Pretenses to Kill Her (December 2, 2016)
48 Hours NCIS Premiered ‘The Marine’s Wife’: Christopher Lee Strangled Erin Corwin After Finding Out She May Be Pregnant With His Child, Disposed of Body in a Mine Shaft (June 12, 2018)

Related Links:
Watch Murdered Marine Wife Erin Corwin’s Husband Reveal Their Last Conversation in Dateline Preview
Dateline NBC to tell Erin Corwin, Christopher Lee story
Erin Corwin, Christopher Lee Profiled on ‘Dateline’: Pregnant Military Wife’s Dead Body Found in Desert Mine Shaft After Sexual Affair with Marine
Suspect in Marine wife’s slaying may have feared she was pregnant
Ex-Marine claims he murdered his colleague’s wife, whom he had got pregnant, by pushing her down a mine shaft ‘because she admitted to molesting his daughter’
5 Things to Know About the Murder of Marine Wife Erin Corwin, Allegedly Killed by Lover
Shocking Courtroom Confession in Marine Wife’s Murder
Mother of former Twentynine Palms Marine accused of killing mistress testifies
Accused killer Christopher Lee wants you to know why he killed Erin Corwin
Ex-Marine found guilty of murdering pregnant lover
Man found guilty of killing fellow Marine’s pregnant wife
Erin Corwin death: Christopher Lee found guilty of murder
Former Marine sentenced to life in 2014 murder of pregnant lover
Christopher Lee gets life in prison for Erin Corwin’s murder
Marine Wife Erin Corwin’s Lover Gets Life in Prison for Her Murder
Christopher Lee sentenced to life in prison for killing Erin Corwin
Dateline: The Last Day (full episode)

Video Links:
Erin Corwin – pregnant woman missing in California
Car of missing pregnant woman found; search continues
Young pregnant military wife vanishes
Missing pregnant wife seen with mystery man?
Cops: Missing Marine wife was having an affair
Was missing marine wife living a double life?
Missing marine wife: Search warrants issued
Erin Corwin had affair with Christopher Brandon Lee, affidavit reveals
Marine’s pregnant wife missing from California
Man accused of killing Marine wife arrested
Erin Corwin’s body found – Christopher Brandon Lee arrested
Erin Corwin candlelight vigil
Chattanooga Update – August 19, 2014
Corwin Murder Trial
Marine’s Wife Vanishes After Affair – Crime Watch Daily With Chris Hansen (Pt 1)
Marine’s Wife Vanishes After Affair – Crime Watch Daily With Chris Hansen (Pt 2)
Marine’s Wife Vanishes After Affair – Crime Watch Daily With Chris Hansen (Pt 3)
“48 Hours: NCIS” sneak peek: The Marine’s Wife
“48 Hours: NCIS”: The Marine’s Wife |S30 E93 (website)
“48 Hours: NCIS”: Investigating the disappearance of 19-year-old Marine wife
Search for missing Marine wife ‘like finding a needle in a thousand haystacks’
Dateline Premiered ‘The Last Day’ on NBC: Erin Corwin & Christopher Lee (12/2/16)
Dateline Episode Trailer: The Last Day | Dateline NBC
The Last Day | Dateline | NBC (Full Episode)