A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (December 2017)

“48 Hours” goes behind the scenes with a defense team and cutting edge forensic animators as they strategize to defend a woman accused of murder. CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith investigates in a special two-hour edition of “48 Hours” airing Saturday, Dec. 23 starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Honoring the victim: Robert McKernan.

48 Hours Premiered ‘A Brother’s Mission’ on CBS: Claudia Hoerig Stands Accused of Gunning Down Husband Karl & Fleeing to Brazil (November 25, 2017)

On November 25, 2017September 6, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Scandals, USAFLeave a comment

48 Hours:

After “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty tracks down the accused killer of a decorated military pilot in Brazil, the woman is extradited to the United States . Will the pilot’s family get justice?

To get justice for his death, Karl Hoerig’s family in the United States must first navigate the Brazilian criminal justice system, which may keep his suspected murderer from facing extradition. -48 Hours

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio, 13th District) has appealed to three U.S. Presidents to try and help Major Karl Hoerig’s family get justice for the U.S. Air Force veteran’s murder. “48 Hours” Erin Moriarty talks to the congressman about his push to have Claudia Hoerig extradited to the United States to stand trial. -48 Hours

In The News:

The family of a murdered military hero is embroiled in an international fight for justice. Karl Hoerig was killed in his Ohio home in March 2007. His family immediately suspected his wife, Claudia, but she boarded a flight to her native Brazil hours after her husband’s death. U.S. investigators charged Claudia with murder, but more than 10 years later, the Hoerig family is still seeking justice. -CBS This Morning (November 24, 2017)

A military hero found shot to death in his home in Ohio and his wife abruptly returns to her native Brazil. Now his brother is on a mission to track down a suspected killer. -CBS New York (November 24, 2017)

48 Hours reporter explains what Claudia Hoerig’s been doing in Brazil -WKBN27 (January 18, 2018)

More than 11 years have passed as the family of Karl Hoerig waited for his accused killer to be brought to justice. -WKBN27 (January 18, 2018)

A Brazilian fugitive accused of murdering her husband is back on U.S. soil to face justice, thanks in part to “48 Hours.” Karl Hoerig was a major in the Air Force reserve. He was shot and killed in his own home in March 2007. The main suspect was his wife, but she flew back to her native Brazil shortly after Hoerig’s death. -CBS This Morning (January 23, 2018)

Honoring the victim: Karl Hoerig, US Air Force Reserve

Unusual Suspects, Deadly Intent Premiered ‘Final Curtain’ on ID: Sam Herr & Julie Kibuishi Murdered in Costa Mesa, California (November 1, 2017)

On November 1, 2017January 26, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, True Crime, VeteransLeave a comment

Costa Mesa, California is beautiful place to live, but it comes at a cost. The murder of a young girl and the disappearance of a former Army soldier leads investigators down a dark path into the mind of an unassuming killer. -Final Curtain, Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent (S9,E5)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

48 Hours Premiered ‘Crime & Punishment’ on CBS (2017)

On July 1, 2017March 18, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, USCGLeave a comment

“48 Hours” Presents: A stepfather sits in prison for killing his wife. Her daughters vow to keep him there. Does he deserve parole? Correspondent Tracy Smith investigates Saturday, July 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Phonthip (Boonack) Ott, 33, disappeared from her home in California on May 17, 1992. A couple months later, Phonthip Ott’s dead body was discovered in the Sacramento River near Sacramento. Phonthips body was stuffed in a large nylon duffle bag about 5 feet tall. It was held down with H-shaped cement anchors. The day their mother disappeared, Phonthip’s daughters, Tippy Dhaliwal, 14, and Jeanette Marine, 10, spent the day with their grandparents. Upon their return home, the two girls sensed something was wrong when their mother wasn’t home and immediately suspected their stepfather of killing her. Dennis Ott was an active duty petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and his relationship with Phonthip was tumultuous. Read more from Military Justice for All here.

48 Hours Premiered ’48 Hours Cold Case: Who Killed Amy Gellert?’ (June 17, 2017)

On June 17, 2017May 27, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, USMCLeave a comment

In the more than 20 years since the murder of a 21-year-old woman outside her home in Cocoa Beach, Florida, there have been a number of men investigated in connection with the case — but the crime remains unsolved. Members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office share details with “48 Hours”‘ Erin Moriarty.

If you have any information about Amy Gellert‘s murder, please contact the Brevard County Homicide Unit: E-mail: majorcrimes@bcso.us or call Central Florida CrimeLine: 1-800-423-TIPS

“[A tipster] overheard Dominic’s girlfriend [Julie Flounder] saying that he was possibly involved with that homicide.” Investigators then learned Kanuika had stolen a car and left the area the day after Amy’s murder. He later moved back to Pennsylvania where investigators tracked him down. “Dominic puts himself at the scene.” Kanuika claimed that he was coming back from work when he drove pass Amy’s house. “He actually stops, pulls over, and walks up to see what was going on…His story didn’t check out. He didn’t work that night…He was given a polygraph and he failed it…Dominic was in Marine Corps boot camp…and one of the things he had to do was fight with a knife.” Dominic Kanuika was [now] serving time for drug possession and robbery. -48 Hours

48 Hours Premiered ’48 Hours: NCIS – The Sting’ | Norma Small Convicted of Murder-for-Hire of Husband & Navy Sailor Sonny Grotton (June 13, 2017)

On June 13, 2017May 27, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, NavyLeave a comment

A tattooed NCIS agent with a black belt goes undercover to find the killer of a Navy petty officer — can he get what he needs without getting caught? -48 Hours: NCIS

Norma Small was arrested in May 2001 and charged with murder for the death of her husband and Navy sailor Sonny Grotton at his Belfast, Maine home on December 16, 1983. She was accused of hiring someone to murder him, convicted, and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Norma felt Sonny was worth more dead than alive. Investigators believed the crime was financially motivated. If Sonny died, Norma would get a death benefit from the Navy, the real estate that she owned with Sonny, and she received a monthly payment from the VA that over 15 or 17 years had amounted to almost $100,000.

“This thing comes up every 15 years. My dad wasn’t an international superstar or politician. Why this case? I haven’t seen a lot of true crime that really portrays the crime in a true life way. And for people who are trying to move on, it’s unfair in a big way.” [says Michael Grotton]. When asked why CBS was interested in the case all these years later, a producer for “48 Hours,” said the network is creating a series that will feature real cases solved by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS. He told the BDN the production team’s reporting “turned up a twist” that may shed doubt on some of the facts that people have believed for the past 15 years. –Bangor Daily News

At Second Trial, Former Army National Guard JAG Officer & State Prosecutor Curtis Lovelace Found Not Guilty of First Degree Murder of First Wife Cory (March 10, 2017)

On March 10, 2017May 29, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, National GuardLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2018-05-26 at 12.30.32 PM — Curtis Lovelace, Illinois Army National Guard

Crime Watch Daily [Video]:
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 1)
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 2)
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 3)
Former Prosecutor Accused Of Wife’s Murder – Crime Watch Daily (Pt 4)
Former Prosecutor Accused of Killing Wife: Mistrial Leads to Retrial – Pt. 1
Former Prosecutor Accused of Killing Wife: Mistrial Leads to Retrial – Pt. 2
Former Prosecutor Accused of Killing Wife: Mistrial Leads to Retrial – Pt. 3
Could Curtis Lovelace Finally Be Set Free? – Crime Watch Daily

48 Hours [Video]:
“48 Hours” preview: Death on Valentine’s Day
“48 Hours” probes young mom’s Valentine’s Day death
What did the children see? 48 Hours Preview of Curtis Lovelace murder trial
Journalist tipped on arrest of former Quincy prosecutor Curtis Lovelace
Community reacts to arrest of small town’s “golden boy”
Curtis Lovelace on the shock of being arrested for his wife’s murder
Christine Lovelace on coping while husband is in jail
Lyndsay Lovelace on life before her mother’s death
Jurors discuss differences in Lovelace investigations
Pathology testimony an issue for some Lovelace jurors
Maher to jurors: Would Curtis Lovelace have been convicted in 2006?
Christine Lovelace on hearing the jury’s decision
Curtis and Christine Lovelace: “We’re starting over”
“48 Hours” investigates fmr. prosecutor charged in wife’s 2006 death
Former Illinois prosecutor tried twice for wife’s murder speaks out on “48 Hours”

Dateline [Video]:
Dateline Episode Trailer: Mystery on the Mississippi | Dateline NBC

Curtis Lovelace was a college football star and later a prominent attorney, and then one Valentine’s Day morning his wife, Cory, died mysteriously. The case was closed, but now 11 years later, Lovelace is on trial for her murder — again. “48 Hours” correspondent Maureen Maher joins “CBS This Morning” with a preview of her report.

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)

On December 2, 2016May 28, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Scandals, USMCLeave a comment

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. Andrea Canning reports. -Dateline NBC

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.

christopher-lee-1 — Christopher Lee, U.S. Marine Corps, and Erin Corwin

Editor’s Note: You can watch the full episode of Dateline for a limited time on the NBC app. Download the app and binge on the last couple years of programming.

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)

48 Hours (CBS):

“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)
Former Twentynine Palms Marine Christopher Lee Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole for the Murder of Erin Corwin in the Joshua Tree National Park, California (November 29, 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)

Video Links:
Justice for Erin Corwin
Erin Corwin candlelight vigil
Young pregnant military wife vanishes
Marine’s pregnant wife missing from California
Erin Corwin – pregnant woman missing in California
Please help find Erin Corwin Missing Marine Wife out of 29 Palms
Pregnant Woman, Marine’s Wife Disappears In California
Oakridge Woman Now Missing Three Weeks
Missing pregnant wife seen with mystery man?
Was missing marine wife living a double life?
Cops: Missing Marine wife was having an affair
Missing pregnant woman Erin Corwin’s car found
Car of missing pregnant woman found; search continues
Missing marine wife: Search warrants issued
Alaska Mine Reveals Missing Wife
Erin Corwin’s Body Recovered, Suspect Arrested

48 Hours Premiered ‘Hunted’ on CBS; An Investigation of a Military Serial Rapist Hunting Victims While Two Detectives Hunt for Him (November 19, 2016)

On November 19, 2016August 11, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, In Their Name, Military Policy, Scandals, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

“48 Hours” goes inside the mind of a serial rapist hunting his victims while two detectives were hunting him. Correspondent Maureen Maher investigates. (November 17, 2016)

On August 11, 2008, Marc Patrick O’Leary raped an eighteen year old at knife point in Lynnwood, Washington. The 18 year old woman reported the rape to her local police department but they accused her of lying and she was charged with false reporting. In 2011, Marc O’Leary was arrested in Colorado for rape and consequently admitted to raping several women in Washington and Colorado. DNA, digital evidence, and O’Leary’s vehicle linked him physically to several rapes. Read more here.

Listen to “Hunted” on the 48 Hours Podcast here.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: